Ultracold Matter and Quantum Technology | EQOP

APS ViewPoint ''An Accordion Lattice Playing a Soliton Tune''

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Research Associate in Quantum Error Correction in a dual species Rydberg Array (QuERy)

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Research Associate in Quantum Error Correction in a dual species Rydberg Array (QuERy)

A position is available for a Research Associate to work on the Quantum Error Correction in a dual species Rydberg Array (QuERy) experiment. The project is part of a multi-partner collaboration, Quantum Advantage In Quantitative Quantum Simulation (QQQS), funded by an EPSRC Programme Grant.

Applications are invited for a Research Associate to join the Ultracold Matter and Quantum Technology within the Department of Physics at the University of Strathclyde. We are seeking a highly motivated and qualified applicant to work in the neutral atom quantum computing team led by Prof. Jonathan Pritchard developing a new dual species cryogenic platform for quantum simulation and quantum computing. This project will exploit dual species arrays of Rubidum and Cesium within a 7 K cryostat to enable cross-talk free mid-circuit readout, high-fidelity interspecies gates to create a programmable platform for quantum computation and simulation. The successful applicant will be responsible for the development of the experimental platform, as well as benchmarking new techniques and protocols for implementing quantum algorithms targeting quantum simulation of novel topological phases as well as exploring regimes relevant to quantum error correction and mitigation.

As a Research Associate, under the general guidance of a research leader, you will develop research objectives and proposals, play a lead role in relation to a specific project/s or part of a broader project, conduct individual and/or collaborative research, contribute to the development of new research methods, identify sources of funding, and contribute to the securing of funds for research, including drafting grant proposals and planning for future proposals. You will write up research work for publication, individually or in collaboration with colleagues, and disseminate the results via peer reviewed journal publications and presentation at conferences. You will join external networks to share information and ideas, inform the development of research objectives and to identify potential sources of funding. You will collaborate with colleagues to ensure that research advances inform departmental teaching effort and you will collaborate with colleagues on the development of knowledge exchange activities by, for example, participating in initiatives which establish research links with industry and influence public policy and the professions. You will supervise student projects, provide advice to students and contribute to teaching as required by, for example, running tutorials and supervising practical work. You will contribute in a developing capacity to Department/School, Faculty and/or University administrative and management functions and committees and engage in continuous professional development.

For more details see the project webpage or apply here.

Availability: Open
Start date: Spring 2026
Contact: Prof. Jonathan Pritchard

Tunable optical lattices for the creation of matter-wave lattice solitons

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

SI-traceable atomic thermometry

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

SI-traceable atomic thermometry

Practical, portable temperature sensors drift during use and require periodic calibration against a ‘primary’ (stand-alone, accurate) thermometer to ensure on-going reliability. Primary thermometers are normally bulky but we aim to develop a portable, optically-based one using Doppler Broadening thermometry (DBT). This provides traceable temperature measurement in-situ in, for example sensor networks, to assure autonomy in a totally new way. This disruptive technology could in future completely change the way temperature traceability is delivered to users, and is aligned with the “Digitisation and Digital NMI” and “Achieving Carbon Net Zero” themes. For “digitisation” DBT will yield temperature traceability at the point of measurement, for “net zero” DBT will improve industrial process control (many of which rely on thermal processing but run sub-optimally due to temperature sensor drift). Solving this issue will optimise, and hence lower, power consumption whilst giving the added benefits of zero waste and consistent product quality. We will establish DBT as a new UK research activity and aim to scale macroscopic DBT approaches (typically 10’s cm) to practical sensor size (~cm) using small optical cells filled with atomic and/or molecular species. Our target uncertainty of 50mK in the temperature range 300-500 K, compares well with the precision of competing inexpensive thermocouple and thermistor technologies, but crucially will have absolute accuracy and thereby make an internationally leading contribution.

You will be part of a new research area for the UK, namely making absolute and traceable measurements of temperature using optical measurements of the Doppler broadening of an atomic transition. The aim is to scale to practical (~mm sized) sensors using miniature optical cells filled with appropriate atomic/molecular species. This project is in conjunction with external collaborative partner Graham Machin at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).

For more details contact the supervisor or apply here.

Availability: Open
Start date: October 2026
Contact: Dr Aidan Arnold

Supersolids and Quantum Droplets in Light-Mediated Quantum Gases

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

About the Project

Are you excited by quantum many-body physics and state-of-the-art experiments with ultracold atoms? This PhD project offers the opportunity to explore emergent phases of matter in ultracold quantum gases, with a particular focus on light-mediated interactions induced by optical feedback and the formation of supersolids - a remarkable phase that combines crystalline order with superfluid flow.

Project Overview

Ultracold atomic gases provide an exceptionally clean and tuneable platform for studying strongly correlated quantum systems. By coupling atoms to structured light fields - ranging from optical lattices to dynamical optical potentials created by optical feedback - this project will investigate how light-mediated interactions can drive self-organisation, pattern formation, and supersolidity. The work will combine experimental measurements with modern theoretical and computational approaches to reveal new regimes of non-equilibrium and collective quantum behaviour. The project is embedded in a broader research environment with opportunities to engage in related studies of lattice physics, nonlinear quantum fluids, and non-equilibrium many-body physics.

Training and Development

As a PhD student, you will gain world-class training in:

Experimental AMO physics: laser systems, vacuum apparatus, atom cooling and trapping, optical lattices
Quantum many-body physics: Bose-Einstein condensates, supersolids, self-organisation, non-equilibrium dynamics, phase transitions, optical lattices
Computational techniques: Python/Matlab based analysis, modelling and simulation of quantum systems, image processing, hardware programming

You will work closely with a research team in a highly collaborative environment, with opportunities to present at national and international conferences and engage with the wider ultracold-atoms community.

Key Details

Host Institution: University of Strathclyde
PhD Duration: 3.5 years
Start Date: 1st October 2026
Annual Stipend: At UKRI minimum stipend level (projected to be £21,383 for 2026/27)

Candidate Profile

We seek motivated candidates with a strong background in quantum physics or a closely related discipline. Experience in one or more of the following is beneficial:

Atomic physics, quantum physics, condensed-matter concepts
Laboratory experience with lasers, optics, electronics, or control systems
Python/Matlab for data analysis and modelling

International students are also eligible to apply, but they’ll need to find other funding sources to cover the difference between the home and international tuition fee. Exceptional international candidates may be provided funding for this difference. Please contact us for details.

Availability: Open
Start date: Every year
Contact: Dr Elmar Haller or Prof Thorsten Ackemann
More information: Supersolids and light mediated interaction and Experimental setup

Advertisement for experimental Postdoc position published!

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We seek a motivated postdoctoral researcher to implement an experimental research programme on supersolids and quantum droplets in a laser-driven Bose-Einstein condensate of ultracold caesium atoms via light-mediated interactions introduced by feedback from a retroreflecting mirror.

The project aims to implement a unique platform for exploring emergent behaviour and symmetry-breaking in self-organised supersolids with intriguing connections to the dynamics of long-range coupled systems and time crystals. It builds on an existing experimental platform for quantum-degenerate ensembles of caesium atoms.

The successful applicant will be based in the Ultracold Matter and Quantum Technology (UMQT) at the Department of Physics of the University of Strathclyde. The role involves close collaboration with Dr Peter Kirton and Dr Gordon Robb and a postdoctoral researcher from the Computational Nonlinear and Quantum Optics Group (CNQO) funded by the same EPSRC project Supersolids and quantum droplets via light mediated interactions.

Candidates should hold a PhD or an equivalent degree in experimental physics. Strong technical knowledge of atomic quantum gases and related optical setups is essential. Applications are welcome from candidates who are close to completing their PhD or whose award is pending.

Please see full ad here. Please direct informal enquiries to Dr Elmar Haller, elmar.haller@strath.ac.uk or Prof Thorsten Ackemann, thorsten.ackemann@strath.ac.uk.

Research Associate - Supersolids and Quantum Droplets in Light-Mediated Quantum Gases

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We are excited to invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our project on Supersolids and Quantum Droplets, where we explore new phases of matter in light-mediated quantum gases. You will work with an established experimental platform for ultracold caesium atoms to create self-organised supersolid and droplet states in a laser-driven Bose–Einstein condensate, using single-mirror optical feedback to induce long-range interactions. This research opens the door to studying symmetry breaking, emergent dynamics in long-range coupled systems, and connections to time crystals, nonlinear quantum fluids, and nonequilibrium many-body physics.

You will join the Ultracold Matter and Quantum Technology in the Department of Physics at the University of Strathclyde. The role includes close collaboration with academics and a postdoctoral researcher from the Computational Nonlinear and Quantum Optics Group founded by the same EPSRC project. You will be part of a vibrant research environment that spans fundamental studies of quantum gases through to applied work in quantum simulation, nonlinear quantum fluids, and emerging quantum technologies. The position will offer opportunities to initiate and contribute to collaborative research projects, as well as to supervise and mentor PhD students within the UMQT group.

We are looking for candidates with a PhD (or near completion) in experimental physics, ideally with experience in ultracold atomic gases or complex optical systems. Skills in laser stabilisation and control, experimental automation, data acquisition, and analysis will be highly beneficial. You should be enthusiastic about sharing results through publications and presenting work at conferences in the UK and abroad.

If this sounds like a project you would enjoy, or you would simply like to learn more, please get in touch with Elmar Haller (elmar.haller@strath.ac.uk) or Thorsten Ackemann (thorsten.ackemann@strath.ac.uk)

Useful links: Flyer for open positions, Application page with further details

Related webpages: Experimental setup, Nonlinear photonics, Project
Closing date: 04/01/2026
Start date: from February 2026
Contact: Dr Elmar Haller or Prof Thorsten Ackemann

Advertisement for theoretical Postdoc position published!

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We are recruiting a Research Associate in Theoretical Physics to work with Drs Kirton and Robb on the theory of the formation of supersolids and droplet structures via light mediated interactions in a BEC.

This work will develop a unique platform for exploring emergent behaviour and symmetry-breaking in self-organised supersolids with intriguing connections to the dynamics of long-range coupled systems and time crystals. Please see full ad here. Please direct informal enquiries to Peter Kirton peter.kirton@strath.ac.uk.

Cs Atom Array @ 7K

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We have demonstrated single atom trapping of Cs in a 940nm tweezer array within the 7K region of our cryostat. Next steps will see installation of 810nm trap beams for Rb and evaluation of cryogenic lifetimes.

Recruiting Postdocs!

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

For the starting EPSRC funded project Supersolids and quantum droplets via light mediated interactions we are looking for two motivated postdoctoral researchers with a start date from February 2026.

Informal enquiries to Thorsten Ackemann thorsten.ackemann@strath.ac.uk or Elmar Haller Elmar Haller elmar.haller@strath.ac.uk for the experimental position, and Peter Kirton peter.kirton@strath.ac.uk or Gordon Robb g.r.m.robb@strath.ac.uk for the theoretical position.

Supersolids and quantum droplets via light mediated interactions.

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A colloboration between the Ultracold Matter and Quantum Technology (T. Ackemann, E. Haller) and Computional Nonlonerar and Quantum Optics Group (G. Robb, P. Kirton) obtained funding from EPSRC for the investigation of Supersolids and quantum droplets via light mediated interactions.

The project aims to realize supersolid and droplet phases of matter in a laser-driven Bose-Einstein condensate of ultracold Cs atoms via light-mediated interactions introduced by feed-back from a retroreflecting mirror. Diffractive dephasing of the retroreflected light induces the nontrivial spatial correlations leading to supersolidity. This work will develop a unique platform for exploring emergent behaviour and symmetry-breaking in self-organised supersolids with intriguing connections to the dynamics of long-range coupled systems and time crystals. Watch this space!

Vortex Dynamics in Ultracold Quantum Mixtures

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In a quantum many-body system the interactions between the constituent microscopic particles lead to emergent macroscopic phenomena. Such macroscopic phenomena include superfluidity (fluid flow without viscosity) and superconductivity (conduction of electricity without resistance). Novel phases such as high-temperature superconductivity form the basis of quantum materials, where useful emergent properties can lead to new technologies. Studying the dynamics of vortices (quantum whirlpools) can give key insight into the inner workings of these systems. Superfluids formed of ultracold atoms provide an extremely clean and well-controlled system for studies of collective quantum behaviour. They enable exquisite control over interactions, geometry, and rotation (vorticity). Importantly, in superfluids formed of mixtures of ultracold atoms we can tune the interactions to emphasize quantum effects such as fluctuations.

A key aim of this PhD project is to explore quantum-fluctuation dominated regimes where the behaviour of the superfluid depends on its inherent quantum nature, driving our fundamental understanding of superfluidity as a collective quantum phenomenon. Research goals include (1) investigating the role of quantum fluctuations in vortex nucleation and subsequent dynamics, and (2) investigating quantum-fluctuation-mediated interactions between two superfluids.

The successful student will join the Quantum Fluids research team, run by Dr Kali Wilson. They will work closely with the supervisor and other team members on a state-of-the-art experimental apparatus designed to explore vortex dynamics in binary superfluids formed of ultracold rubidium and potassium atoms. The successful student will also acquire practical skills in the areas of quantum technologies, optics and atomic physics. These skills include working with lasers, designing optical systems, high-resolution imaging and state-of-the-art image processing techniques, cooling and trapping atoms, as well as electronics and mechanical design.

If this sounds exciting to you and you would like to hear more, please get in touch with Kali Wilson (kali.wilson@strath.ac.uk).

Availability: Open
Start date: October 2026 (flexible)
Contact: Dr Kali Wilson

CDT Recruitment Event – January 15th 2026

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Our Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Applied Quantum Technologies will host a recruitment event on January 15th 2026.

This event is an excellent opportunity for prospective applicants to learn more about our cutting-edge programme, meet key members of the team, and gain valuable insights into the unique academic and research opportunities we offer.

Attending this event will provide you with first-hand information on the application process, programme structure, and the exciting future awaiting you in the field of quantum technology. Don’t miss this chance to ask questions and discover how AQT CDT can be the perfect step in your academic and professional journey.

For more details and to register, please visit the event page.

Sparse Graph Optimization using Weighted Quantum Wires in Rydberg Atom Arrays

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Overview

Neutral atom arrays provide a versatile platform to implement coherent quantum annealing as an approach to solving hard combinatorial optimization problems. In this work we present and experimentally demonstrate an efficient encoding scheme based on chains of Rydberg-blockaded atoms, which we call quantum wires, to natively embed maximum weighted independent set (MWIS) and quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) problems on a neutral atom architecture. For graphs with quasi-unit-disk connectivity, in which only a few long-range edges are required, our approach requires a significantly lower overhead in the number of ancilla qubits than previous proposals, facilitating the implementation on currently available hardware. To demonstrate the approach, we perform weighted-graph annealing on a programmable atom array using local light shifts to encode problem-specific weights across graphs of varying sizes. This approach successfully identifies the solutions to the original MWIS and QUBO graph instances. Our work expands the operational toolkit of near-term neutral atom arrays, enhancing their potential for scalable quantum optimization. For more details see arXiv:2503.17115.

Weighted Quantum Wires

Weighted Quantum Wires (a) Basic construction of a wire to connect two nodes with weights α and β in MWIS and QUBO problems. The energy diagram shows the ordering of the eigenstates for an MWIS implementation. (b, c) Wire constructions to delocalise triangular and all-to-all square interactions between vertices in MWIS problems. (d) Generalization of the crossing gadget introduced in [33] to allow for arbitrary weights of the nodes.

Graph optimisation using a neutral atom quantum computer

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Graph optimisation using a neutral atom quantum computer

Quantum computation offers a revolutionary approach to information processing, providing a route to efficiently solve classically hard problems such as factorisation and optimisation as well as unlocking new applications in material science and quantum chemistry that could in future be scaled up to accelerate drug design or optimised materials for aerospace and manufacturing. Whilst large-scale applications will require thousands of qubits, in the near-term small (100 qubit) quantum processors will reach a regime in which the quantum hardware is able to solve problems not accessible even on the largest available conventional supercomputers.

This project will utilise the SQuAre hardware platform for quantum computing based on scalable arrays of neutral atoms that is able to overcome the challenges to scaling of competing technologies, offering programmable control of up to 225 identical and high quality atomic qubits.

Already our team has demonstrated the highest single-qubit gate fidelities for large scale arrays on this hardware, and pioneered new approaches to realising weighted graph problems using locally addressed light-shifts. The aim of this PhD is to design and test new analogue and digital algorithms tailored for the neutral-atom platform to target industrially-relevant computation and optimisation problems, and perform pioneering demonstrations on the SQuAre system.

A major focus of this work will be developing new approaches to investigating qudit-encodings relevant for graph colouring problems, and to extend hardware performance to implement high-fidelity multi-qubit gate operations to enable efficient implementation of complex digital algorithms.

For more details see the project webpage or apply here.

Availability: Open
Start date: October 2026
Contact: Prof. Jonathan Pritchard

Quantum Error Correction in a dual species Rydberg Array (QuERy)

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum Error Correction in a dual species Rydberg Array (QuERy)

This project seeks to develop a dual-species platform for quantum computing and simulation with neutral atoms, providing a route to implementing active quantum error correction essential for future scaling beyond 100 qubits. This hardware will simultaneously provide a versatile platform for analogue computing and simulation due to the ability to independently control inter- and intra-species interactions, providing a route to performing studies of complex many-body physics as well as increasing the diversity of real-world optimisation problems that can be tackled using neutral atom hardware.

Over the last decade, neutral atoms have emerged as one of the most promising platforms for quantum information processing, with a major advantage over competing technologies arising from the ability to scale to large numbers of identical qubits as required for performing practical quantum computing. To date, several experiments have demonstrated trapping of qubit arrays with > 256 qubits. To couple neutral atom qubits, highly excited Rydberg states are used which have extremely large electric dipole moments giving rise to strong and controllable interactions. These can be exploited to perform high fidelity multi-qubit gates, with F>0.95 demonstrated for two qubits and intrinsic fidelities of F>0.995 for multi-qubit gates, or for performing quantum simulation of controllable spin models as required for studying materials or solving optimisation problems.

Whilst there has been significant experimental progress, a number of challenges currently limit scaling to larger array sizes for hardware based on a single atomic species. The first arises from finite vacuum lifetime due to collisions with background atoms ejecting atoms from the trap. For room temperature operation, this is typically 10s for 1 atom but means only 10ms for a 1000 atom array. This can be solved by moving to operation at cryogenic temperatures down to 4 K where the cold surfaces cause significant increase in lifetime upwards of > 6000 seconds meaning recovery of times > 6s even for 1000 atoms. The next issue lies in the long readout time for neutral atom qubits, typically requiring 10-50 ms to readout qubit states. With a single species, the cross-talk and scattered light mean readout is destructive across the whole array, with no clear pathway to performing local measurements required for error correction to reach fault tolerant operation.

This project will tackle these two challenges by establishing a dual-species neutral atom array within a 4 K cryostat to obtain enhanced vacuum lifetimes and providing the ability to perform measurement on one species (the readout qubits) whilst retaining coherent quantum states on the other species (the logical qubits). This provides a route to overcome challenges with local addressing and cross talk as the two species operate at optical wavelengths separated by 10s of nm.

For more details see the project webpage or apply here.

Availability: Open
Start date: October 2026
Contact: Dr Jonathan Pritchard

Lattice solitons of matter waves.

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

New team member

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

New team member

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

New team member

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A quantum-classical cold atom system for inertial navigation

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A rubidium frequency-standard based on a MEMS vapour cell

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Research Associate - Strontium Optical Frequency References

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A position is available for a postdoctoral researcher to join the Quantum Technologies team within the Department of Physics at the University of Strathclyde. The successful candidate will lead the development of a compact strontium-based optical frequency reference, integrating advanced optical metrology techniques within thermal atomic strontium systems.

This role encompasses:

Designing and prototyping miniaturised strontium optical frequency references
Implementing thermal atomic strontium sources and precision optics
Collaborating with UMQT and partners (national labs / industry) to enhance device portability
Publishing in high-impact journals and presenting at international conferences

You will work closely with Prof. Paul Griffin and Dr. Aidan Arnold, leading figures in experimental quantum optics and metrology.

Essential qualifications:

PhD (or nearing completion) in optical, quantum, or atomic physics
Practical experience with lasers, atomic sources, and precision frequency metrology
A strong publication record and communication skills

Residual early-career candidates may be appointed at Research Assistant level (Grade RS06, £32,546–£36,130) if the PhD is close to completion.

For more information see the full advert or contact Prof. Paul Griffin (paul.griffin@strath.ac.uk) or Dr. Aidan Arnold (aidan.arnold@strath.ac.uk).

Availability: Open
Deadline: Friday, 25 July 2025, 23:59 (UK time)
Start date: available from August 2025
Contact: Prof. Paul Griffin, Dr. Aidan Arnold

Research Associate – Atomic Systems Miniaturisation

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A position is available for a postdoctoral researcher to join the Ultracold Matter and Quantum Technology (UMQT) group in the Department of Physics at the University of Strathclyde. This project focuses on the miniaturisation of atomic systems to support the development of compact, deployable quantum technologies.

The successful candidate will contribute to the design, assembly, and testing of portable atomic and optical instrumentation, helping to develop next-generation precision devices that operate beyond traditional laboratory settings.

Responsibilities include:

Designing and integrating miniaturised atomic systems
Developing and characterising compact optical and metrology platforms
Collaborating with academic and industry partners
Publishing scientific results and presenting at conferences

You will be part of a dynamic, collaborative research environment in the UMQT group, known for its leadership in atomic and optical physics research and translation to industrial applications.

Essential qualifications:

PhD (or near completion) in experimental optical or quantum physics
Hands-on experience with lasers, optics, and vacuum systems
Strong communication skills and publication track record

Appointment at Research Assistant (Grade RS06, £32,546–£36,130) is possible if the PhD is near completion.

For more details, visit the full advert or contact Dr James McGilligan.

Availability: Open
Start date: available from August 2025
Deadline: 20 July 2025, 23:59 (UK time)
Contact: Dr James McGilligan

Research Associate – Optical Time and Frequency Transfer

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

If you are not redirected automatically, click here.

A position is available for a postdoctoral researcher to join the Ultracold Matter and Quantum Technology (UMQT) group within the Department of Physics at the University of Strathclyde. The project focuses on optical time and frequency transfer, in collaboration with the UK National Quantum Technology Programme and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).

This role will support the development of compact atomic-optical systems for high-performance frequency metrology and benchmark new methods for miniaturised, real-world deployment. You will work closely with academic and industry partners to deliver practical protocols for quantum timing networks.

The successful candidate will be involved in:

Conducting experiments in optical time and frequency transfer
Developing and characterising compact atomic devices
Supporting the miniaturisation and integration of optical components
Disseminating findings via publications and international conferences

You will be based in the UMQT group, a vibrant team of over 40 researchers, with expertise in quantum optics, atomic physics, and laser metrology.

Essential qualifications:

PhD (or near completion) in experimental quantum or optical physics
Strong experience with laser systems, optics, metrology, and vacuum technology
Demonstrated ability to publish research and communicate results
Capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration in a team-based environment

Appointment at Research Assistant level (Grade RS06, £32,546–£36,130) is possible for candidates close to completing their PhD.

For more information, see the full advert or contact Prof. Paul Griffin.

Availability: Open
Start date: available from August 2025
Deadline: 20 July 2025, 23:59 (UK time)
Contact: Prof. Paul Griffin

New team member

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

DAMOP

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Chip-scale atomic spectrometer with silicon nitride optical phased array

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Observation of Rayleigh optical activity for chiral molecules: a new chiroptical tool

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Self-organized length scales beyond the linear Talbot effect.

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In a collaboration with the INPHYNI in Nice and the TU Vienna which just appeared in Physical Review A we are looking now at the interplay of diffraction within the atomic cloud and diffraction in vacuum. It turns out that for most situations it is sufficient to look at the linear Talbot effect but things get more involved, if one puts the mirror “into the cloud”. If you are curious, how to do this and what the resulting length scales are, please look at Phys. Rev. A 111, 063506.

We are hiring!

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Entangled states from sparsely coupled spins for metrology with neutral atoms

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

From single to multiple solitons in a GaN mode-locked polariton laser

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Optical pattern formation in self-focusing and self-defocusing diffractively thick media

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Vacuum Chamber

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Spin Polarization in InGaAs quantum dots for spin-optoelectronics.

Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

New paper in Applied Physics Letter on how the efficiency of introducing a spin polarization in InGaAs quantum dots depends on pump wavelength. Unfortunately, the wavelengths for best spin polarization and best quantum efficiency are not the same. If you are interested, please look at Appl. Phys. Lett. 126, 191102 (2025).

Below-threshold polarization behaviors of a VCSEL under external optical feedback

Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Optimizing spin polarization in quantum dot vertical-gain structures through pump wavelength selection

Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Research Associate studying quantum gases in complex lattices

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We have an open postdoctoral position as part of the newly starting EPSRC Programme Grant, Quantum Advantage in Quantitative Quantum Simulation (QQQS). The project focuses on the study of quantum many-body states of ultracold gases in periodic potentials. Please check our recent projects to learn more about our research and the team.

Interested in joining us?
Contact us now for further details!

Start date: Any
Requirements: PhD in Experimental Physics
Contact: Dr Elmar Haller

Rb/Cs Dual Species MOTs @ 7K

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We have demonstrated a bi-chromatic dual species magneto-optical trap enabling simultaneous cooling of Rb and Cs within the 7K region of our cryostat. Following this project milestone our aim now is to get the atoms loaded into arrays of species-selective optical traps ready to begin work on inter-species gate operations.

Graph Colouring via Quantum Optimization on a Rydberg-Qudit Atom Array

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Summary

We propose a new approach to natively embedding graph colouring problems onto neutral atom arrays using multiple Rydberg states each representing a unique colour. Graph colouring arises in a wide range of industrially relevant optimisation problems from sharing data across a wifi network to scheduling tasks and planning workloads. Using multiple Rydberg states enables efficient encoding of this problem onto quantum hardware and provides a new direction for near-term applications of neutral atom quantum computing. For more details see arXiv.2504.08598.

Key Results

Neutral atom arrays have emerged as a versatile candidate for the embedding of hard classical optimization problems. Prior work has focused on mapping problems onto finding the maximum independent set of weighted or unweighted unit disk graphs. In this paper we introduce a new approach to solving natively-embedded vertex graph colouring problems by performing coherent annealing with Rydberg-qudit atoms, where different same-parity Rydberg levels represent a distinct label or colour. We demonstrate the ability to robustly find optimal graph colourings for chromatic numbers up to the number of distinct Rydberg states used, in our case k = 3. We analyse the impact of both the long-range potential tails and residual inter-state interactions, proposing encoding strategies that suppress errors in the resulting ground states. We discuss the experimental feasibility of this approach and propose extensions to solve higher chromatic number problems, providing a route towards direct solution of a wide range of real-world integer optimization problems using near-term neutral atom hardware. For more details see arXiv.2504.08598.

Lithium Quantum Microscope for Fermionic Quantum Simulations

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum Simulation seeks to unravel the mysteries of complex quantum systems that influence fields like materials science, chemistry, and biology. By modelling these systems through precise, controlled experiments at the quantum-mechanical level, we gain new, profound insights. Such quantum simulators based on ultracold atoms in optical lattices have achieved remarkable control over individual atoms in a many-body ensemble through the use of so-called quantum-gas microscopes. Through diffraction-limited fluorescence imaging and optical addressing every lattice site can be imaged and manipulated with sub-µm precision.

From 2025, we offer a PhD position in the development and construction of a new quantum-gas microscope with fermionic lithium aimed at taking this control to the next level via digital quantum gates. Such gate-based control, as known from quantum computers, will allow us to address even more complex quantum problems, for example, from high-temperature superconductivity or quantum chemistry. The implementation of high-fidelity gates in this platform is a relatively new but highly promising approach to quantum computing. One speciality of our hardware is that we use fermionic atoms, allowing us to implement quantum algorithms for the simulation of electrons without a cumbersome mapping of the quantum code to qubits first.

The PhD project will involve the setup of high-power optical lattices, advanced laser cooling methods, high-resolution imaging at the single-photon level, and quantum simulation experiments of strongly correlated electron systems. What does that mean for you in practice? You will take some of the best lasers available (lowest noise, highest power) and point them into a vacuum chamber where you’ve created a gas of atoms at nano Kelvin temperature. The atoms then move as perfect quantum particles in the potential landscape that you’ve created, solving the many-body Schrödinger equation in regimes that no supercomputer can tackle. With more laser beams, you will then take an image of your atoms, resolving each one of them. Through clever mapping, this can give us new insights into quantum problems that have challenged physicists for decades. Of course, you will not do this alone but in a highly motivated team with strong partners around the UK and Europe.

If this sounds fascinating to you and you would like to hear more, please get in touch with Timon Hilker (timon.hilker@strath.ac.uk).

Useful links: Flyer for open positions

Availability: Open
Start date: Every year
Contact: Dr Timon Hilker

A quantum-classical cold atom system for inertial navigation

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Control of electro-optic sideband spectrum using sequential modulators

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry: summary of the second workshop

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A compact high-flux grating chip cold atom source

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A review and collection of metrics and benchmarks for quantum computers: definitions, methodologies and software

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Optical superlattice for engineering Hubbard couplings in quantum simulation

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Speeding up quantum measurement using space-time trade-off

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

First cryogenic Cs MOT!

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We have trapped our first cold Cs MOT inside the 7K region of the cryostat, running the MOT with superconducting coils. This is the first step towards generating large, reconfigurable arrays of individually trapped atoms, and will soon be followed by the first cold Rb atoms as the new cooling laser system is assembled.

A quantum wire approach to weighted combinatorial graph optimisation problems

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Demonstration of weighted graph optimization on a Rydberg atom array using local light-shifts

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Experimental Observation of Single- and Multi-Site Matter-Wave Solitons in 1D Optical Lattices

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Formation of individual stripes in a mixed-dimensional cold-atom Fermi-Hubbard system

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Graph Coloring via Quantum Optimization on a Rydberg-Qudit Atom Array

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Practical primary thermometry via alkali-metal-vapour Doppler broadening

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum-gas microscopy of many-body quantum states in programmable light potentials

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Within this PhD project, we’ll utilize ultracold atoms in optical lattices in a quantum-gas microscope setup, capable of single-site-resolved atom detection! Our setup, equipped with spatial light modulators, can project various light patterns onto the atoms with remarkable resolution. For example, in our work, published in Nature Communications, we were able to create quantum systems with only five atoms on a specific number of lattice site - this is pretty cool, isn’t it?

This remarkable tool will allow us to investigate novel quantum states in quasi one-dimensional systems. You can be the future PhD student exploring quantum states in ladder systems at half filling, where atoms move across each rung, yet the overall state remains insulating! We’re also diving into the intriguing effects of disordered lattice potentials on quantum states. By manipulating light potentials to flip atomic spins on selected sites, we’ll create various initial spin distributions, shedding light on out-of-equilibrium dynamics. And there’s more – future studies will venture into complex lattice geometries like Lieb-lattice systems and diamond chains.

Availability: Open
Start date: Every year
Contact: Prof Stefan Kuhr

Quantum-gas microscopy of the Bose-glass phase

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Single-beam grating-chip 3D and 1D optical lattices

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

CDT Recruitment Event – January 10th 2025

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Our Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Applied Quantum Technologies will host a recruitment event on January 10th 2025.

For more details and to register, plase visit the event page.

Local control and mixed dimensions: exploring high-temperature superconductivity in optical lattices

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Optical phased array for sub-Doppler spectroscopy of the rubidium D2 absorption line

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Optimizing longitudinal spin relaxation in miniaturized optically pumped magnetometers

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Rapid stochastic spatial light modulator calibration and pixel crosstalk optimization

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A compact cold atom cavity clock

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Atomic Thermometry

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Distributed network of optically pumped magnetometers for space weather monitoring

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Sensitive and accurate quantum magnetometry for GNSS-denied positioning, critical national infrastructure, and magnetic anomaly detection

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Practical doppler broadening thermometry

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Erratum: Optimal state choice for Rydberg-atom microwave sensors [Phys. Rev. Appl. 16, 024008 (2021)]

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Demonstration of weighted graph optimization on a Rydberg atom array using local light-shifts

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

We present a scheme for speeding up quantum measurement. The scheme builds on previous protocols that entangle the system to be measured with ancillary systems. In the idealised situation of perfect entangling operations and no decoherence, it gives an exact space-time trade-off meaning the readout speed increases linearly with the number of ancilla. We verify this scheme is robust against experimental imperfections through numerical modelling of gate noise and readout errors, and under certain circumstances our scheme can even lead to better than linear improvement in the speed of measurement with the number of systems measured. This hardware-agnostic approach is broadly applicable to a range of quantum technology platforms and offers a route to accelerate midcircuit measurement as required for effective quantum error correction. For more details see Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 080801 or arXiv:2407.17342.

Phonon excitations of Floquet-driven superfluids in a tilted optical lattice

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Mode-locked waveguide polariton laser

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Self-organized magnetic and droplet states for quantum technologies

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Self-organized magnetic and droplet states for quantum technologies

The project will investigate self-organized phases in cold atoms with light-mediated coupling. We are looking at laser cooled thermal atoms or quantum degenerate gases driven by a detuned laser beam with feedback from a single mirror or a cavity leading to the spontaneous emergence of intriguing spatial structures, from localized droplets to periodic structures like stripes and hexagons. Depending on the interest of the student, it can have a theoretical or experimental focus and would be either supervised by Prof Ackemann or Dr Robb as lead supervisor.

For more details, please contact Prof Thorsten Ackemann - thorsten.ackemann@strath.ac.uk.

Availability: Open only for self-funded students
Start date: Available now
Contact: Prof Thorsten Ackemann

Object detection and range finding with quantum states using simple detection

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Phonon excitations of Floquet-driven superfluids in a tilted optical lattice

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

778.1 nm distributed feedback lasers for Rb two-photon atomic systems with sub-4 kHz linewidths

Wed, 01 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Spontaneously Sliding Multipole Spin Density Waves in Cold Atoms.

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Spontaneously Sliding Multipole Spin Density Waves in Cold Atoms reported in Physical Review Letters

Demonstration of weighted graph optimization on a Rydberg atom array using local light-shifts

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Overview

In this paper we present first demonstrations of weighted graph optimization on a Rydberg atom array using annealing with local light-shifts. We verify the ability to prepare weighted graphs in 1D and 2D arrays, including embedding a five vertex non-unit disk graph using nine physical qubits. We find common annealing ramps leading to preparation of the target ground state robustly over a substantial range of different graph weightings. This work provides a route to exploring large-scale optimization of non-planar weighted graphs relevant for solving relevant real-world problems. For more details see arXiv:2404.02658.

Graph Optimisation using Neutral Atom Arrays

Neutral atom arrays have emerged as a versatile platform towards scalable quantum computation and optimisation, capable of implementing high fidelity digital gates and logical qubit encodings with arbitrary connectivity [1], as well as enabling solution of classical optimisation problems using analogue quantum annealing [2]. Early demonstrations of solving the Maximum Independent Set (MIS) problem using arrays of up to 289 qubits found for hard problems the quantum hardware offered a speedup over classical solvers [3], however recent analysis shows for MIS problems on unit disk graphs improved classical solvers can find solutions for thousands of qubits [4].

A recent proposal from Nguyen et al. [5] shows that by introducing local light-shifts it is possible to extend beyond solving MIS to a wide range of problems including maximum weighted independent set (MWIS), quadratic unconstrained binary optimisation (QUBO) and even factorisation with at worst a quadratic overhead in qubit number. This approach uses gadgets to map a given problem onto a unit-disk graph (UDG) MWIS with local light-shifts to implement weightings. In this work, we implement the first experimental demonstrations of UDG-MWIS optimisation using local light-shifts.

Local Light-shifts

To implement weighted graph annealing with local light-shifts we use an additional laser and spatial light modulator (SLM) to project a secondary tweezer array onto the atoms with a programmable relative power. This light-shift potential allows us to precisely control the relative weight on each qubit, whilst performing global control of the laser intensity to enable simplified annealing protocols with a finite number of parameters. For our Cs atoms the 800 nm light causes a blue-shift (positive detuning), so annealing ramps are performed using a two-stage process where the global Rydberg excitation lasers are first ramped to resonance, then the light-shift intensity shaped to give smoothly evolving light shifts on each site with fixed relative weighting to ensure the groundstate of the combined atom-light interaction encodes the solution to the classical UDG-MWIS problem.

Weighted 1D Chains

To verify the ability to use local light-shifts we begin with a simple example of a weighted 1D chain. Using uniform weighting, for an odd chain the blockade condition should ensure all atoms on odd sites are Rydberg excited. Introducing a relative weighting of 2 onto the even sites changes the resulting groundstate and causes the inverted case of Rydberg excitation on even sites. Below we show results of optimising the annealing for the weighted graph, and demonstrate the same annealing ramp is able to simultaneously prepare the groundstate of the uniformly weighted graph, demonstrating the ability to adiabatically preprare the groundstate of the system.

Optimisation with 1D weighted chains: (a) For a uniformly weighted, odd-length 1D graph the ground state is the Z₂-ordered phase with Rydberg excitations on odd sites which corresponds to the unweighted MIS. Introducing a weighting with w_i=2 on even sites results in an MWIS ground state with Rydberg excitations localised to the even sites which is no longer equivalent to the MIS solution. (b) Optimal annealing ramp for preparing the weighted ground state obtained via closed-loop optimization for N=9 atoms spaced by a=7 µm. Output state probability (c) and time evolution (d) for the unweighted graph showing the odd-ordered target ground state is prepared with 19(1)% probability. Output state probability (e) and time evolution (f) for the weighted graph showing even-ordered ground state is also prepared with 19(1)% probability.

Weighted 2D Graphs

To demonstrate our ability to optimise for 2D graphs, we consider a simple 5-vertex weighted graph shown below, which can be mapped onto a UDG-MWIS graph with 9 atoms. We find annealing profiles that optimise this graph for the weightings (2,1,2,1,1) giving the correct groundstate solution as shown, and additionally find this same annealing profile works for a range of other weightings highlighting the versatility and robustness of the approach of using local light-shifts for solving graph optimisation problems.

Optimisation of a 2D weighted graph: (a) The target 5-vertex weighted graph problem is embedded into UDG-MWIS form for encoding onto a neutral atom array using 9 qubits, with 5 qubits encoding the vertices and 4 additional atoms required to implement the coupling of vertices 1 and 3 to vertex 5 whilst maintaining the constraint that no vertices connected by an edge can be simultaneously excited. (b) Result showing annealing of a weighted graph problem where the neutral atom hardware is able to correctly identify the solution corresponding to vertices 1 and 3 having higher weighting than 2, 4 and 5.

References

[1] D. Bluvstein et al., Logical quantum processor based on reconfigurable atom arrays, Nature 626, 58 (2024)
[2] M. Kim et al., Quantum computing with Rydberg atom graphs, J. Korean Phys. Soc. 82, 827 (2023)
[3] S. Ebadi et al., Quantum Optimization of Maximum Independent Set using Rydberg Atom Arrays, Science 376, 1209 (2022)
[4] R.S. Abdrist et al., Hardness of the maximum-independent-set problem on unit-disk graphs and prospects for quantum speedups, Phys. Rev. Research 5, 043277 (2023)
[5] M.-T. Nguyen et al., Quantum optimization with arbitrary connectivity using Rydberg atom arrays, PRX Quantum 5, 010316 (2023)

Spontaneously sliding multipole spin density waves in cold atoms

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Theory of Rayleigh–Brillouin optical activity light scattering applicable to chiral liquids

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Continuous acceleration sensing using optomechanical droplets

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Interspecies Förster resonances for Rb-Cs Rydberg d -states for enhanced multi-qubit gate fidelities

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Three-axis magnetic field detection with a compact, high-bandwidth, single beam zero-field atomic magnetometer

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Benchmarking the algorithmic performance of near-term neutral atom processors

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Neutral atom quantum processors provide a viable route to scalable quantum computing, with recent demonstrations of high-fidelity and parallel gate operations and initial implementation of quantum algorithms using both physical and logical qubit encodings. In this work we present a characterization of the algorithmic performance of near term Rydberg atom quantum computers through device simulation to enable comparison against competing architectures. We consider three different quantum algorithm related tests, exploiting the ability to dynamically update qubit connectivity and multi-qubit gates. We calculate a quantum volume of VQ=2⁹ for 9 qubit devices with realistic parameters, which is the maximum achievable value for this device size and establishes a lower bound for larger systems. We also simulate highly efficient implementations of both the Bernstein-Vazirani algorithm with >0.95 success probability for 9 data qubits and 1 ancilla qubit without loss correction, and Grover’s search algorithm with a loss-corrected success probability of 0.97 for an implementation of the algorithm using 6 data qubits and 3 ancilla qubits using native multi-qubit CCZ gates. Our results indicate Rydberg atom processors are a highly competitive near-term platform which, bolstered by the potential for further scalability, can pave the way toward useful quantum computation.

For more details see arXiv:2402.02127.

Demonstration of quantum-enhanced rangefinding robust against classical jamming

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Overview

Our results demonstrating a correlated pair-source to perform target detection and range-finding to show the resilience of quantum-enhanced lidar to classical jamming have been published in Optics Express.

Quantum-Enhanced LIDAR

Standard LIDAR utilises a classical light source, typically amplitude modulated laser pulses, to determine the distance to a target by measuring the time between pulse emission and detection. However, in the regime of weakly reflecting targets (or long distance operation) and large background noise, classical lidar techniques are limited when the return signal count approaches the single photon level. One approach is to increase the laser power illuminating the target, at the expense of loosing covertness in the process. Instead, quantum lidar offers an alternative approach whereby a target is illuminated by a quantum light source, in this case a correlated photon-pair source based on spontaneous parametric down-conversion. By locally detecting one of the photon pairs, we are able to determine exactly when a signal photon is emitted and use the intrinsic correlation of the photon-pair creation process to perform target detection based on coincident detection, where the delay between signal and idler detector events provides information about the target distance without requiring a modulated signal to be emitted.

Photon pair source

Quantum Illumination Source: Our experiments use photon-pairs generated by pumping a non-linear ppKTP crystal to create pairs of photons at 810 nm, with the signal photon passed through a neutral density filter to simulate target reflectivity and a moving stage used to vary distance to target. At the detector, background noise is added using an LED.

Robustness to classical jamming

Reslience to Jamming: To verify the performance of the quantum LIDAR to jamming we apply strong modulation of the background using both slow and fast-modulation. In both cases the quantum lidar is able to confidently detect the target presence or absence whilst the classical detector is unable.

Rangefinding

Rangefinding To demonstrate the range-finding performance of our system we place a target on a moving translation stage and demonstrate the ability to locate the target as it moves between regions A, B and C despite the presence of strong background modulation.

Commensurate and incommensurate 1D interacting quantum systems

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Hyperlink

Nat Communications 15, 474 (2024).

Abstract

We use dynamically varying microscopic light potentials in a quantum-gas microscope to study commensurate and incommensurate 1D systems of interacting bosonic atoms in an optical lattice. Such incommensurate systems are analogous to doped insulating states that exhibit atom transport and compressibility. Initially, a commensurate system with unit filling and fixed atom number is prepared between two potential barriers. We deterministically create an incommensurate system by dynamically changing the position of the barriers such that the number of available lattice sites is reduced while retaining the atom number. Our commensurate and incommensurate systems are characterised by measuring the distribution of particles and holes as a function of the lattice filling, and interaction strength, and we probe the particle mobility by applying a bias potential. Our work provides the foundation for preparation of low-entropy states with controlled filling in optical lattice experiments.

Interspecies Förster resonances of Rb-Cs Rydberg d-states for enhanced multi-qubit gate fidelities

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

We present an analysis of interspecies interactions between Rydberg d-states of rubidium and cesium. We identify the Förster resonance channels offering the strongest interspecies couplings, demonstrating the viability for performing high-fidelity two- and multi-qubit C_kZ gates up to k=4, including accounting for blockade errors evaluated via numerical diagonalization of the pair-potentials. Our results show d-state orbitals offer enhanced suppression of intraspecies couplings compared to s-states, making them well suited for use in large-scale neutral atom quantum processors. For more details see arXiv:2401.02308.

A cold-atom Ramsey clock with a low volume physics package

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A triaxial vectorization technique for a single-beam zero-field atomic magnetometer to suppress cross-axis projection error

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Benchmarking the algorithmic performance of near-term neutral atom processors

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Commensurate and incommensurate 1D interacting quantum systems

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Demonstration of quantum-enhanced rangefinding robust against classical jamming

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Entangled states from sparsely coupled spins for metrology with neutral atoms

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Longitudinal spin-relaxation optimization for miniaturized optically pumped magnetometers

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Simple tunable phase-locked lasers for quantum technologies

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Single-beam grating-chip 3D and 1D optical lattices

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Single-board low-noise fluxgate magnetometer

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Ultracold field-linked tetratomic molecules

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Optimal binary gratings for multi-wavelength magneto-optical traps

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Portable single-beam cesium zero-field magnetometer for magnetocardiography

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum technology showcase

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Generating Multiparticle Entangled States by Self-Organization.

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Generating Multiparticle Entangled States by Self-Organization of Driven Ultracold Atoms reported in Physical Review Letters

Generating multiparticle entangled states by self-organization of driven ultracold atoms

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum enhanced SU(1,1) matter-wave interferometry in a ring cavity

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

We are hiring!

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

QuAMP 2023 at Strathclyde University

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The conference for Quantum, Atomic and Molecular Physics 2023 (QuAMP 2023) takes place at Strathclyde University.

Start: Mon 11 Sep 2023, 9 AM
End: Wed 13 Sep 2023, 5 PM
Programme: Online
Where:
Technology and Innovation Centre
University of Strathclyde
99 George Street
Glasgow, G1 1RD

Free-induction-decay magnetic field imaging with a microfabricated Cs vapor cell

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Optical pumping enhancement of a free-induction-decay magnetometer

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum entanglement via self-organization of ultracold atoms in a ring cavity

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

A comparative study of deconvolution techniques for quantum-gas microscope images

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Accurate holographic light potentials for cold-atom experiments

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Nitrogen buffer gas pressure tuning in a micro-machined vapor cell

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Quantifying hole-motion-induced frustration in doped antiferromagnets by Hamiltonian reconstruction

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Silicon-nitride photonic integrated circuits for atomic systems

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Universal equation of state for wave turbulence in a quantum gas

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Instabilities of driven matter waves with interactions

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Comparison of deconvolution techniques

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Motivation

To understand the limits of single-atom imaging compare the effectiveness of three different deconvolution techniques that are commonly used to process the fluorescence images. We use simulated images to determine the fidelity of detecting single atoms in an optical lattice in the presence of noise, inhomogeneous fluorescence, for parameter regimes relevant to other quantum-gas microscope experiments.

Example for growing excitation modes

A wave packet, which is initially centred at zero momentum, quickly spreads over the complete Brillouin zone due to interactions and periodic driving. Those instabilities make quantum simulation experiments challenging.

Hyperlink

New J. Phys. 25, 083036 (2023).

Experimental setup

Abstract

Quantum-gas microscopes are used to study ultracold atoms in optical lattices at the singleparticle level. In these systems atoms are localised on lattice sites with separations close to or below the diffraction limit. To determine the lattice occupation with high fidelity, a deconvolution of the images is often required. We compare three different techniques, a local iterative deconvolution algorithm, Wiener deconvolution and the Lucy-Richardson algorithm, using simulated microscope images. We investigate how the reconstruction fidelity scales with varying signal-to-noise ratio, lattice filling fraction, varying fluorescence levels per atom, and imaging resolution. The results of this study identify the limits of singe-atom detection and provide quantitative fidelities which are applicable for different atomic species and quantum-gas microscope setups.

Instabilities of interacting matter waves in optical lattices with Floquet driving

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Long-range interactions in a quantum gas mediated by diffracted light

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

New team member

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Randomized benchmarking using nondestructive readout in a two-dimensional atom array

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

An additive-manufactured microwave cavity for a compact cold-atom clock

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Open positions

Sat, 20 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Optical Pattern Formation in hot Na vapour

Sat, 20 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

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People

Sat, 20 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

People

Sat, 20 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum Technologies: Sensing & Metrology

Sat, 20 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum-gas microscopy with K⁴⁰

Sat, 20 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum-gas microscopy with Rb⁸⁷

Sat, 20 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Theses

Sat, 20 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Nonlinear Photonics

Sun, 14 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Vortices in Superfluids

Sun, 14 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Automated machine learning strategies for multi-parameter optimisation of a cesium-based portable zero-field magnetometer

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Chip-scale packages for a tunable wavelength reference and laser cooling platform

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

High-efficiency coupled-cavity optical frequency comb generation

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum Error Correction (QuERy)

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Deep silicon cell fabrication for chip-scale atomic sensors

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Dr. Jonathan Pritchard awarded RAEng Senior Research Fellowship

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Congratulations to Dr Jonathan Pritchard on receiving a prestigious RAEng Senior Research Fellowship with M Squared Lasers to develop fault-tolerant neutral atom quantum computers. For more information see the project page QuERy.

Technology roadmap for cold-atoms based quantum inertial sensor in space

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Accurate holographic light potentials using pixel crosstalk modelling

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Hyperlink

Scientific Reports 13, 3252 (2023).

Abstract

Field-linked resonances of polar molecules

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Generating symmetry-protected long-range entanglement

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Randomised benchmarking and non-destructive readout

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

We have demonstrated high-fidelity randomised benchmarking of single qubit microwave gates across an array of 225 atoms using conventional readout techniques using strings of up to 1000 random gates. We achieved an average gate error of 8×10^-5 which is below the threshold for fault tolerant operations, highlighting the viability of neutral atoms for scalable computing.

We further demonstrated non-destructive readout using state-selective imaging on the stretched state transition to enable post-selection for loss and avoiding the requirement to reload the arrays after every sequence.

For more details see our paper Phys. Rev. Lett. 131, 030602 (2023) [arXiv].

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Wed, 25 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

For more details see our paper on the arXiv:2301.10510 (2023)."

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Cold-atom shaping with MEMS scanning mirrors

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Magnetically mediated hole pairing in fermionic ladders of ultracold atoms

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Object detection and rangefinding with quantum states using simple detection

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Ultra-low noise, bi-polar, programmable current sources

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Cold atoms in space: community workshop summary and proposed road-map

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Two-Qubit EIT Gate Protocol

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000

We have demonstrated the UK’s first neutral atom quantum gate using a novel protocol based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) originally proposed by M. Müller, I. Lesanovsky and P. Zoller back in 2008, with our results published in Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 200501 (2022).

EIT gate protocol (a) Control and target qubits in individual traps (b) Excitation pulse sequence (c) If the control qubit is in state |0>, the EIT condition on the target qubit prevents transfer whilst (d) if the control qubit is in |1> it is Rydberg excited, with interactions breaking the EIT condition and the target undergoes a Raman transition to implement a native CNOT gate.

We achieved a corrected CNOT gate fidelity of 0.82(6), mainly limited by available laser power, and used this gate to prepare a Bell state on two qubits.

EIT gate results (a) Raw and (b) Corrected gate matrices.

Bell State Preparation (a) Population and (b) Parity Oscillation of Bell states prepared using EIT gate protocol.

This provides a scalable gate protocol capable of performing a native CNOT gate and maps to CNOTN gates with N targets for stabiliser measurements in quantum error correction, for which we proposed with experimental upgrades including performing excitation via the inverted 7P1/2 transition to reach intrinsic fidelities F>0.998.

For more details see our paper Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 200501 (2022).

Demonstration of a Quantum Gate Using Electromagnetically Induced Transparency

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Micro-fabricated caesium vapor cell with 5 mm optical path length

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000

New team member

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Contact

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Tour

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

A grating-chip atomic fountain

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

High-fidelity multiqubit Rydberg gates via two-photon adiabatic rapid passage

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Micro-machined deep silicon atomic vapor cells

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Observation of magnetic Feshbach resonances between Cs and Yb 173

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Invited book chapter: Vector vortex solitons.

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Invited book chapter “Vector vortex solitons and soliton control in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers” in Dissipative Optical Solitons (Springer); preprint on arXiv

Generation of high-winding-number superfluid circulation in Bose-Einstein condensates

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Micro-fabricated components for cold atom sensors

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

High-fidelity multi-qubit gate operations

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

We have developed a robust protocol for implementing high-fidelity multiqubit controlled phase gates (C_kZ) on neutral atom qubits coupled to highly excited Rydberg states.

Atomic level scheme We model gate fidelities for two-level excitation including the full intermediate state hyperfine structure.

Our approach is based on extending adiabatic rapid passage (ARP) to two-photon excitation via a short-lived intermediate excited state common to alkali-atom Rydberg experiments, accounting for the full impact of spontaneous decay and differential AC Stark shifts from the complete manifold of hyperfine excited states. We evaluate and optimisze gate performance using optimal control techniques to calculate Rabi frequency and detuning parameters in time. For Cs and currently available laser frequencies and powers, a CCZ gate with fidelity F > 0.995 for three qubits.

Three atom CCZ gate We show (a) optimal pulse parameters for the CCZ gate, (b) leakage errors from spontaneous decay and excitation of the intermediate excited state (c) Resulting phase and amplitude of the optimal gate sequence.

This same technique can be used to find gates for four or more qubits, with the performance limitation imposed simply by the largest distance between any atom pair. For four qubits, this can be done using either a planar square geometry or in 3D with a pyramid offering CCCZ with F > 0.99 for four qubits is attainable in ∼ 1.8 μs via this protocol. Higher fidelities are accessible with future technologies, and our results highlight the utility of neutral atom arrays for the native implementation of multiqubit unitaries."

Four atom CCCZ Gate Optimal pulse shapes for 4 qubits in different geometries.

For more details see our paper in QST.

G. Pelegri, A. Daley and J.D. Pritchard, High-fidelity multiqubit Rydberg gates via two-photon adiabatic rapid passage, Quantum Sci. Technol. 7, 045020 (2022)

New team member

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

A digital alkali spin maser

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Conference ECAMP14

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Coupling of magnetic and optomechanical structuring in cold atoms

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Dynamics of optomechanical droplets in a Bose-Einstein condensate

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

First and Second Sound in a Compressible 3D Bose Fluid

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Realizing the symmetry-protected Haldane phase in Fermi–Hubbard ladders

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Rydberg Atom Quantum Technologies

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum gas microscopes

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Silicon nitride waveguide polarization rotator and polarization beam splitter for chip-scale atomic systems

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Accurate optically pumped magnetometer based on Ramsey-style interrogation

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Demonstration of a Compact Magneto-Optical Trap on an Unstaffed Aerial Vehicle

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Finess Meeting 2022

Sat, 05 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Ground-state coherence versus orientation: Competing mechanisms for light-induced magnetic self-organization in cold atoms

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Rotating and spiraling spatial dissipative solitons of light and cold atoms

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

ICONIQ Workshop 2022

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Advancing the stability and accuracy of a laser-cooled microwave atomic clock