Quantum Engineering with Neutral Atoms

Graduate / Professional

This is a graduate course on the hardware of quantum computers, with a focus on neutral atoms trapped in optical tweezers. Neutral atoms are one of the most rapidly developing platforms for quantum computing today. The course starts from the basics and builds up the physics needed to understand and design an atom-array quantum computer. Topics include atomic structure, atom–light interaction, laser cooling and trapping, optical tweezers and atom arrays, qubit encodings and coherence, state preparation and readout, single-qubit and two-qubit (Rydberg) gates, gate errors, scaling and architecture, error correction, and analog quantum simulation. The last part of the course looks at the other main hardware platforms (trapped ions, superconducting circuits, photonics, and solid-state spins) using the same set of metrics. By the end, students should be able to read and judge current work on quantum hardware. Intended for graduate students in applied physics, physics, ECE, etc. who are interested in experimental quantum science, quantum information, AMO physics, or quantum optics. Well-prepared advanced undergraduates are also welcome. Prerequisite: undergraduate-level quantum mechanics. No background in atomic physics, laser physics, or quantum information is assumed; these are built up during the course. Contact the instructor with any questions about preparation. TTh 2:35pm-3:50pm