Defect-Free 2D Arrays of Several Hundred $^{87}$Rb Atoms in Optical Tweezers*

Neutral atoms trapped in optical tweezer arrays have become a compelling platform for quantum simulation and quantum information processing. Recent experiments from our group have demonstrated the entanglement of up to 20 atoms and the implementation of high-fidelity multi-qubit gates via Rydberg excitations in defect-free 1D arrays of $^{87}$Rb. Recently, we have expanded our experimental capabilities to be able to produce large, defect-free arrays of several hundred atoms in programmable 2D geometries. I will describe our latest experiments with these 2D arrays of atoms, and discuss the possibilities for quantum simulation and quantum computation with this platform.