An atom-by-atom assembler of defect-free arbitrary two-dimensional atomic arrays

Science. 2016 Nov 25;354(6315):1021-1023. doi: 10.1126/science.aah3778. Epub 2016 Nov 3.

Abstract

Large arrays of individually controlled atoms trapped in optical tweezers are a very promising platform for quantum engineering applications. However, deterministic loading of the traps is experimentally challenging. We demonstrate the preparation of fully loaded two-dimensional arrays of up to ~50 microtraps, each containing a single atom and arranged in arbitrary geometries. Starting from initially larger, half-filled matrices of randomly loaded traps, we obtain user-defined target arrays at unit filling. This is achieved with a real-time control system and a moving optical tweezers, which together enable a sequence of rapid atom moves depending on the initial distribution of the atoms in the arrays. These results open exciting prospects for quantum engineering with neutral atoms in tunable two-dimensional geometries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't