Online Seminar: Cavity-enabled real-time observation of individual atomic collisions
Online Seminar: Cavity-enabled real-time observation of individual atomic collisions
High-cooperativity optical cavities represent a powerful tool for advancing neutral-atom quantum computing and probing fundamental atomic physics. This seminar presents recent research from Prof. Vladan Vuletić’s lab at MIT, showcasing fast, nondestructive, number-resolved detection of atoms confined within a novel bow-tie optical cavity, which further enables real-time observation of individual atomic collisions. Combining this capability with adaptive feedback control, the researchers demonstrate single-atom preparation with a remarkable success rate of 92(2)%. These results underscore the potential of optical cavities for scalable quantum systems and open the door to new investigations of cold atomic collisions. arXiv:2411.12622.
The seminar is presented Dr. David Spierings with Dr. Ramon Szmuk co-hosting the event.
Our speakers –
- Dr. David Spierings
Postdoc, MIT
Dr. David Spierings completed his B.Sc. in Physics at Harvey Mudd College in 2014, followed by an M.Sc. in 2015 and a Ph.D. in 2022 at the University of Toronto, under the mentorship of Professor Aephraim Steinberg. His doctoral work led to the first-ever measurement of the duration atoms spend inside a barrier while tunneling – a longstanding mystery in quantum mechanics, unresolved for decades. After earning his Ph.D., he received a Mitacs postdoctoral fellowship to develop optical technologies for connecting distant quantum computers, addressing a significant challenge in the creation of scalable quantum computing systems. In 2023, he joined the Vuletić lab at MIT as a postdoctoral associate. He is currently working on developing an array of individually trapped cesium atoms within an optical cavity, specifically tailored to facilitate robust interactions between light and matter. His research spans quantum simulation, quantum computing, foundational quantum mechanics, and exploring the quantum-to-classical transition.
- Dr. Ramon Szmuk
Product Solutions Physicist, Quantum Machines
Ramon Szmuk is currently a Product Manager at Quantum Machines, where he leads solutions for the Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) market. Previously, he worked as a Research Scientist at MuQuans, focusing on the design and development of atomic clocks. He earned his PhD in 2015 from the Paris Observatory (SYRTE).
