Rydberg atoms

Research

Rydberg atoms are particularly well suited to quantum simulation of interacting spins. Atoms that are excited to these high-principal-quantum-number states interact strongly through dipole-dipole or van der Waals interactions. In our group, we aim at the realisation of a quantum simulator that exploits the unique properties of circular Rydberg atoms, i.e. Rydberg levels with maximal orbital momentum. In a cold environment, these levels live several tens of milliseconds, while the laser-accessible, low-orbital-momentum Rydberg levels live a few 100µs only.

We build two different setups that laser trap circular Rydberg levels of either individual Rubidium atoms in hollow optical bottle beams or individual Strontium atoms in optical tweezers. A third setup laser traps circular Rydberg atoms in a structure that inhibits spontaneous emission, bringing their lifetime to the minute range.