Subject：Quantum computing with simple and complex atoms

Speaker：Mark Saffman, Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Emcee：Prof. Haibin Wu

Time：10:00am, 27^th Apr, 2018

Place：Science Building A814

Abstract：

Quantum computing is a few decades old and is currently an area where there is great excitement, and rapid developments. A handful of distinct approaches have shown the capability of on demand generation of entanglement and execution of basic quantum algorithms.

One of the daunting challenges in developing a fault tolerant quantum computer is the need for a very large number of qubits. Neutral atoms are one of the most promising approaches for meeting this challenge. I will give a snapshot of the current status ofquantum computing in general and atomic quantum computing in particular. The atomic physics underlying our ability to control neutral atom qubits will be described, and I willshow how one of the most complicated atoms in the periodic table may lead to some simple solutions to hard problems.

Fluorescence image of an array of 49 trapped atomic qubits.

About the Speaker:

Mark Saffman is an experimental physicist working in the areas of atomic physics, quantum and nonlinear optics, and quantum information processing. He has made significant contributions to the physics of optical solitons, pattern formation, sources of entangled light, and quantum computing. His current research effort isdevoted to the development of neutral atom based quantum computing devices. His research team was the first to demonstrate a quantum CNOT gate between two trapped neutral atoms, and the deterministic entanglement of a pair of neutral atoms. This was done using dipole mediated interactions between highly excited Rydberg atoms. He is currently developing scalable neutral atom platforms using arrays of trapped atoms.

He is a Professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a fellow of the American Physical Society and the Optical Society of America. He has been recognized with the Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship and a University of Wisconsin Vilas Associate Award. He also serves as an Associate Editor for Physical Review A.