Neutral atom quantum computer

A neutral atom quantum computer is a modality of quantum computers built out of Rydberg atoms;^[1] this modality has many commonalities with trapped-ion quantum computers. As of December 2023, the concept has been used to demonstrate a 48 logical qubit processor.^[2][3]

To perform computation, the atoms are first trapped in a magneto-optical trap.^[2] Qubits are then encoded in the energy levels of the atoms. Initialization and operation of the computer is performed via the application of lasers on the qubits. ^[4] For example, the laser can accomplish arbitrary single qubit gates and a ${\displaystyle CZ}$ gate for universal quantum computation. The ${\displaystyle CZ}$ gate is carried out by leveraging the Rydberg blockade which leads to strong interactions when the qubits are physically close to each other. To perform a ${\displaystyle CZ}$ gate a Rydberg ${\displaystyle \pi }$ pulse is applied to the control qubit, a ${\displaystyle 2\pi }$ on the target qubit and then a ${\displaystyle \pi }$ on the control. ^[1] Measurement is enforced at the end of the computation with a camera that generates an image of the outcome by measuring the fluorescence of the atoms.^[2]

See also

• Superconducting quantum computing
• Trapped-ion quantum computer

References