Towards Quantum Simulation with Circular Rydberg atoms
We propose a new paradigm for Quantum Simulation of spin-1/2 arrays, providing unprecedented flexibility and allowing one to explore domains that remain unexplored, based on laser-trapped Circular
Rydberg atoms. Their long intrinsic lifetimes, combined with the inhibition of their microwave spontaneous emission and their negligible photoionisation, make operation lifetimes in the minute range realistic.
The proposed simulator realises an XXZ spin-1/2 Hamiltonian, with nearest-neighbor couplings ranging from a few to tens of kilohertz. All the model parameters can be dynamically tuned at will, making a large
range of simulations accessible. Thus the system evolution can be followed long enough to be relevant for ground-state adiabatic preparation and for the study of thermalisation and disorder.
As a first step towards the implementation of this Quantum Simulation scheme, we (i) demonstrate the preparation of cold Circular Rydberg states in a 4K cryogenic environment with optical access out of a cold
atom cloud. Their lifetime reveals an effective microwave black-body temperature of 9K. We (ii) asses the single qubit coherence times (~150 us), and lifetime (~5ms) and finally we (iii) demonstrate the lasertrapping
of Circular Rydberg atoms proving their negligible photoionisation over many lifetimes.
In this seminar, I will present the key aspects of the Circular Rydberg atom Quantum Simulator and our latest experimental results towards this goal.