| NSF Org: |
PHY Division Of Physics |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | July 22, 2015 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | July 19, 2017 |
| Award Number: | 1521374 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Alexander Cronin
acronin@nsf.gov (703)292-5302 PHY Division Of Physics MPS Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
| Start Date: | August 1, 2015 |
| End Date: | July 31, 2018 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $450,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $450,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2016 = $150,000.00 FY 2017 = $150,000.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
21 N PARK ST STE 6301 MADISON WI US 53715-1218 (608)262-3822 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
1150 University Avenue Madison WI US 53706-1390 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | QIS - Quantum Information Scie |
| Primary Program Source: |
01001617DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01001718DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
The development of quantum mechanical approaches to processing, storage, and transmission of information is being actively pursued around the world. Quantum processors are distinct from existing classical systems in that they harness unique features of quantum physics to enable beyond classical capabilities. These include the potential for efficiently solving currently intractable computational problems, for simulating complex physical systems in order to develop new materials, and the ability to transmit information securely between distant locations.
One of the approaches being actively pursued is to use quantum bits (qubits) stored in neutral atoms for memory and processing and to use optical photons (particles of light) for long distance transmission of information. A necessary step is entanglement, that is where a single particle of light, a photon, and/or an atom can be correlated with another photon or another atom such that measuring the properties of one instantaneously affects the properties of the other even if they are not in the same location. While entanglement between atoms and photons has been demonstrated in many experiments what has not yet been achieved is the ability to combine atom-photon entanglement with atomic qubits that can process and store information. The major goal of this research is to demonstrate atom-photon entanglement and atom based quantum logic gates in a single system that can form the basis for future quantum networks.
The research program will also contribute to the training of students for careers in science and engineering. People from diverse backgrounds will be educated and trained in modern experimental science, and will be equipped to bridge the boundary between physics and information science. Training will occur via curriculum enrichments, and through direct participation in the University based research program. We will also inform the local Madison community about the importance of physics to information technology, and the new developments in the area of quantum information science. Outreach to the public will be facilitated by public visiting days at the Physics department, laboratory tours, faculty visits to local schools, and mentoring of high school students.
Our technical approach is based on the use of small clouds of atoms with from 10-100 Rubidium atoms for the dual purpose of creating entanglement between atoms and photons, and as qubits in a small quantum processor. We will use long range interactions mediated by highly excited Rydberg states of atoms to create deterministic entanglement between qubits encoded in multi-atom ensembles and between ensembles and light. These capabilities will form the basis for efficient quantum repeater architectures needed for long distance distribution of entanglement and quantum networking.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
There is currently a large worldwide research activity that has the goal of developing a quantum computer. Quantum computers and networks have the potential for solving many outstanding problems including the design of new materials with enhanced properties, development of new medicines, sorting of large amounts of data, and secure storage, processing and communication of data. Quantum computers also have the potential for breaking some data encryption codes currently in use.
Scientists are developing the building blocks of a future quantum computer using several different approaches. This project supported work on qubits that are based on individual atoms that have been cooled by laser beams to very low temperatures and then trapped in other laser beams. Most of this work uses a single atom for each qubit. We have studied an approach where each qubit uses more than one atom, typically 10-100 atoms per qubit. This has the advantage that the loss of one atom does not destroy the qubit. Additionally having many atoms allows for stronger coupling between atoms and light which is important for long distance transmission of quantum information.
Experimental studies of atomic qubits were performed in the Department of Physics at University of Wisconsin-Madison. A picture of the experimental setup is attached. Inside a vacuum chamber atomic ensembles were held inside laser beams. Using several different lasers to cool, trap, and control the atoms we were able to characterize the atomic qubits and establish their potential for future quantum computing devices. Research results were published in peer reviewed scientific journals.
As part of this research project young scientists were trained for careers in physics, and other science and technology areas. The researchers included graduate students, undergraduate students, and a high school student.
Last Modified: 06/11/2019
Modified by: Mark Saffman
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