Session 1A: Grad Student Symposium - Textbook AMO Systems for Fundamental Science and Applications

Welcome and Introductions

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Quantum science and technology with trapped atomic ions

Trapped atomic ions are one of the most precisely controllable quantum systems in existence. Their uses range from "textbook" measurements of simple quantum phenomena, like two-level systems and quantum harmonic oscillators, to serving as frequency references for some of the world's best clocks, to hosting the quantum information used in some of the most powerful quantum computers and quantum simulators. I will give an overview of the physics of trapped ions, the tools used to control them, and a sampling of the scientific results and future possibilities that they have and will enable.   

Coffee Break I

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Quantum information science with optical tweezer arrays of neutral atoms

Atoms, molecules, and photons each enable promising applications in quantum information science. A central priority in such applications is devising ways to confine and isolate your quantum-y object, whether that means a photon within the mode of an optical fiber or an atom at a location in space. Once confined, we also typically wish to control and detect this object. For the most demanding of applications, such as for quantum computation, it is further necessary to do all these nice things in parallel with many copies of your quantum-y object of choice. In this talk, I will review a rapidly evolving quantum science platform — arrays of single neutral atoms in optical tweezers. I will describe the associated technology, review a selection of scientific results, and eventually draw connections to my own work in this area. Because of the platform's breadth of applications, the talk will touch on topics ranging from quantum information processing and quantum simulation, to quantum metrology, chemistry, and quantum communication.   

Lunch

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Quantum Science with Molecules: Function, Complexity, and the Future

That atom has been tamed. Labs around the world use the techniques of atomic physics to prepare single internal and motional atomic quantum states, direct their coherent evolution, and measure their final states. These tools have altered the course of science and technology. However, the same simplicity of atoms that aided the development of these tools limits their functionality. Stepping beyond atoms to molecules, which are still perfect quantum objects, brings new functionalities allowing a host of new science and applications. It also brings additional complexity that must be controlled. I'll use this talk to provide a gentle introduction (indoctrination?) into the world of quantum science with molecules, including the tools for their control, the technology and science they enable, and wild speculation about what the future holds.    

Coffee Break II

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Cavity QED for entanglement in atomic and photonic systems

In free space, the interaction between a single photon and single atom is relatively weak, while the interaction between two photons is completely negligible. A cavity can be used to substantially enhance the interaction between a single photon and a single atom, up to the point where the coherent coupling between the photon and the atom dominates over the dissipative couplings of the photon and the atom to the environment. Even stronger coherent coupling can be achieved with atomic ensembles in cavities. I will discuss how the atom-cavity coupling can generate strong nonlinearities that can be used to entangle photons with atoms, photons with photons, or atoms with atoms, for a variety of applications. The latter include quantum measurements beyond the Standard Quantum Limit with atomic clocks and interferometers, photonic quantum gates, optical quantum networks, atomic quantum memories, single-photon transistors, and generally the field of strongly nonlinear quantum optics.