arXiv subjects

Tom R. Hepworth

Publications and source records attributed to Tom R. Hepworth.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Harnessing resonant dipolar interactions in a hybrid atom-molecule quantum system

Hybrid quantum systems offer a route to combining the complementary strengths of distinct quantum platforms while mitigating their limitations. A particularly promising architecture combines neutral atoms and polar molecules: atoms provide fast, controllable interactions through excitation to Rydberg states, while molecules possess long-lived rotational states that are attractive for quantum memories and qudits. Although dipolar interactions between atoms and molecules have been observed in gas-phase and beam experiments, they have not previously been explored in a scalable optical tweezer platform that enables the controlled coherent interactions needed for quantum state transfer and entanglement. Here, we realise this goal, demonstrating coherent dipolar interactions between an individual Rydberg atom and an individual polar molecule. The separation of the particles is controlled using species-specific optical tweezers and their dipolar interactions are made strongly state-dependent by tuning two atom-molecule pair states into resonance. We exploit these interactions to demonstrate atom-mediated state readout of a molecular qubit, observe coherent spin exchange between the particles, and generate entanglement using a blockade-based controlled-NOT operation. Together, these results establish a coherent atom-molecule interface in which long-lived molecular quantum information can be rapidly mapped onto internal states of a Rydberg atom for readout or onward coherent transfer. This platform can be scaled to realise hybrid quantum processors utilising atom-mediated readout and entanglement of molecular qubits and mixed-species quantum simulators of dipolar systems.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Isolated quantum-state networks in ultracold molecules

Precise control over rotational angular momentum is at the heart of recent advances in quantum chemistry, quantum simulation, and quantum computation with ultracold bialkali molecules. Each rotational state comprises a rich manifold of hyperfine states arising from combinations of rotation and nuclear spins; this often yields hundreds of transitions available between a given pair of rotational states, and the efficient navigation of this complex space is a current challenge for experiments. Here, we describe a general approach based on a simple heuristic and graph theory to quickly identify optimal sets of states in ultracold bialkali molecules. We explain how to find pathways through the many available transitions to prepare the molecule in a specific state with maximum speed for any desired fidelity. We then examine networks of states where multiple couplings are present at the same time. As example applications, we first identify a closed loop of four states in the RbCs molecule where there is minimal population leakage out of the loop during simultaneous microwave coupling; we then extend the optimisation procedure to account for decoherence induced by magnetic-field noise and obtain an optimal set of 3 states for quantum computation applications.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Long-lived multilevel coherences and spin-1 dynamics encoded in the rotational states of ultracold molecules

Rotational states of ultracold polar molecules possess long radiative lifetimes, microwave-domain coupling, and tunable dipolar interactions. The availability of numerous rotational states has inspired many proposed applications, including simulations of quantum magnetism, encodings of information in high-dimensional qudits, and synthetic dimensions with many synthetic lattice sites. Many of these applications are yet to be realised, primarily because engineering long-lived coherent superpositions of multiple rotational states is highly challenging. Here, we investigate how multilevel coherences between rotational states can be engineered by using optical tweezer traps operating close to a magic wavelength for a given pair of states. By performing precision Ramsey spectroscopy we find the exact magic wavelengths and sensitivities to detuning errors for multiple rotational state superpositions. We find that, for a trap polarised parallel to the quantisation axis, the magic wavelengths are closely clustered enabling long-lived coherence across multiple rotational states simultaneously. As an example, we demonstrate simultaneous second-scale coherence between three rotational states. Utilising this extended coherence, we perform multiparameter estimation using a generalised Ramsey sequence and demonstrate coherent spin-1 dynamics encoded in the rotational states. With modest experimental improvements, we predict that second-scale coherent dynamics of ten rotational states should be readily achievable.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Individual assembly of two-species Rydberg molecules using optical tweezers

We present a new approach to investigating Rydberg molecules by demonstrating the formation and characterization of individual Rb$^{*}$Cs Rydberg molecules using optical tweezers. By employing single-atom detection of Rb and Cs, we observe molecule formation via correlated loss of both species and study the formation dynamics with single-particle resolution. We control the interatomic distances by manipulating the relative wavefunction of atom pairs using the tweezer intensity, optimizing the coupling to molecular states and exploring the effect of the tweezer on these states. Additionally, we demonstrate molecule association with atoms trapped in separate tweezers, paving the way for state-selective assembly of polyatomic molecules. The observed binding energies, molecular alignment, and bond lengths are in good agreement with theory. Our approach is broadly applicable to Rydberg tweezer platforms, expanding the range of available molecular systems and enabling the integration of Rydberg molecules into existing quantum science platforms.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Long-lived entanglement of molecules in magic-wavelength optical tweezers

Realising quantum control and entanglement of particles is crucial for advancing both quantum technologies and fundamental science. Significant developments in this domain have been achieved in a variety of systems. In this context, ultracold polar molecules offer new and unique opportunities due to their more complex internal structure associated with vibration and rotation, coupled to the existence of long-range interactions. However, the same properties make molecules highly sensitive to their environment, impacting their coherence and utility in some applications. Here we show that by engineering an exceptionally controlled environment using rotationally-magic optical tweezers, we can achieve long-lived entanglement between pairs of molecules using hertz-scale interactions. We demonstrate the highest reported fidelity to date for a two-molecule Bell state ($0.976^{+0.014}_{-0.016}$) and present the first realisation of a microwave-driven entangling gate between two molecules, preparing the molecules in a decoherence-free subspace. We show that the magic-wavelength trap preserves the entanglement, with no measurable decay over 0.5 s, opening new avenues for quantum-enhanced metrology, ultracold chemistry and the use of rotational states for quantum simulation, quantum computation and as quantum memories. The extension of precise quantum control to complex molecular systems will allow their additional degrees of freedom to be exploited across many domains of quantum science.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Enhanced quantum state transfer via feedforward cancellation of optical phase noise

Many experimental platforms for quantum science depend on state control via laser fields. Frequently, however, the control fidelity is limited by optical phase noise. This is exacerbated in stabilized laser systems where high-frequency phase noise is an unavoidable consequence of feedback. Here we implement an optical feedforward technique to suppress laser phase noise in the STIRAP state transfer of ultracold RbCs molecules, across 114 THz, from a weakly bound Feshbach state to the rovibrational ground state. By performing over 100 state transfers on single molecules, we measure a significantly enhanced transfer efficiency of 98.7(1)% limited only by available laser intensity.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Enhanced quantum control of individual ultracold molecules using optical tweezer arrays

Control over the quantum states of individual molecules is crucial in the quest to harness their rich internal structure and dipolar interactions for applications in quantum science. In this paper, we develop a toolbox of techniques for the control and readout of individually trapped polar molecules in an array of optical tweezers. Starting with arrays of up to eight Rb and eight Cs atoms, we assemble arrays of RbCs molecules in their rovibrational and hyperfine ground state with an overall efficiency of 48(2)%. We demonstrate global microwave control of multiple rotational states of the molecules and use an auxiliary tweezer array to implement site-resolved addressing and state control. We show how the rotational state of the molecule can be mapped onto the position of Rb atoms and use this capability to readout multiple rotational states in a single experimental run. Further, using a scheme for the mid-sequence detection of molecule formation errors, we perform rearrangement of assembled molecules to prepare small defect-free arrays. Finally, we discuss a feasible route to scaling to larger arrays of molecules.

physics.atom-ph↗