Quantum Research Institute Seminar – An optical tweezer array in a cryogenic environment

Scalable Rydberg atom arrays are a fast evolving platform for programmable quantum computation and simulation. We present a new system for the control of 2D Rydberg atom arrays embedded in a cryogenic environment. Our high optical access system is compatible with long vacuum lifetime, high-fidelity atomic manipulation, and reduction of blackbody-driven Rydberg decay. I present measurements of ground-state and initial Rydberg manipulation in our cold box, as well as long-lived atoms in a cryopumped vacuum with which we study single-atom imaging of rubidium with high survival, an important component of high-fidelity atom rearrangement. I discuss plans to harness similar long-lived vacuum conditions for addressing one source of loss and heating in Fermi gases. I also outline our ongoing efforts in controlling external degrees of freedom in an optical tweezer traps in the context of cooling, light-assisted collisions, and non-classical motional states.