MIT-Quantum information science with Rydberg atoms

Keywords:

quantum information science, atomic physics, quantum computation, quantum optics.

Requirements:

Students are expected to have some basic knowledge in quantum mechanics and programming. Advanced knowledge in atomic physics and quantum information science is preferred.

Project description:

Today, quantum information science and technology is not only at the frontier of fundamental academic research, but is also very promising for many applications such as quantum computation. Classical computers encode information with bits, which are either 0 or 1, while on quantum computers, the information is encoded with qubits, which are the superposition of 0 and 1. This superposition allows multiple calculations simultaneously, and proper quantum algorithms can identify the correct answer much faster. With quantum computers, we can solve classically hard problems, including the large number factorization, simulating quantum materials and chemistry, solving NP-hard optimization problems such as the traveling salesman problems.

Recently, there has been a lot of progress on quantum computation based on neutral atoms. Our lab is developing a new platform for performing the quantum computation. In our approach, the quantum processor consists of large arrays of atomic ensembles. Each quantum bit (qubit) is encoded with different Rydberg excitations embedded inside the ensemble. By harnessing the nonlinear quantum optical effect, we have demonstrated the fast initialization and detection on quantum states, and therefore enhances the computation speed by two to three orders of magnitude compared to previous research. Besides, the strong coupling between the Rydberg qubit states and the long-range interactions between the qubits allow multi-qubit gate operations.

From this program, students are expected to learn the basics of atomic physics, quantum optics, and quantum computation. This knowledge will be helpful if students are interested in continuing their study in quantum information science,and atomic, molecular and optical physics (AMO). Possible projects that students can work on include, but not limit to:

(1) Generating large arrays of atomic ensembles with optical devices such as spatial light modulator, digital mirror device, and metasurface.

(2) Design new schemes for high-fidelity quantum gate operations and quantum error corrections. Students can learn how to use ARC (an open- source package for Rydberg calculations), and use it for optimizing the schemes.

(3) Learning and perform quantum algorithm simulation with Qiskit (an open- source framework for quantum computing developed by IBM). Use the Qiskit to explore the efficient quantum tomography protocols.

(4) Exploring the possibility of generating non-classical photonic states with arrays of atomic ensembles. Atomic ensembles can interface atomic states with free-space photons; therefore, it is possible to generate entangled photonic states, which can be used for photonic quantum computation.