The past decades have witnessed the development of a vivid scientific community around the topics of quantum technologies. One essential direction of research concerns the quest for robust quantum systems, which can preserve and optimally harness quantum coherence to perform operations unthinkable through the methods of classical physics. In particular, these systems will form the basis for new quantum sensors, quantum simulators and future quantum computers, expected to speed up certain computational tasks beyond what is achievable with even the most powerful classical hardware. However, today most of the relevant practical applications of quantum technologies are forestalled by the decoherence of quantum systems. To overcome this issue, it is key to learn how to synthesize quantum states and probe their coherence properties, especially in highly entangled, many-particle systems.
In the FastOrbit project, we propose the realization of a new quantum information platform where the dynamics of quantum coherence in many-particle states can be studied and engineered. This will be based on the control of single atoms of ytterbium-171, stored in the stable potentials created by optical lattices and arranged in large reconfigurable arrays. The nuclear spin of fermionic ytterbium isotopes provides a qubit which is intrinsically robust to external perturbations, due to its almost complete decoupling from the electronic degrees of freedom, but can nonetheless be effectively manipulated through ultra-precise optical spectroscopy techniques already developed in optical lattice clocks.
The new experimental setup will exploit the most advanced optical methods for cooling and trapping single-atom arrays: a scalable quantum register, in which fast and efficient logical operations between qubits will be implemented. In this way, we will develop optimal protocols for the creation of many-particle entangled states, whose quality and robustness to noise will be characterized through randomized projective measurements and interferometric methods. The high degree of control will then be used to investigate the deep connection between the decoherence dynamics of individual qubits and the non-equilibrium thermodynamics arising from coupling with the surrounding environment. The platform realised within the FastOrbit project will definitely represent a promising new hardware for quantum technologies, with ample opportunities for further development. It will also increase the competitiveness of Italian research in a highly strategic sector.