Vilnius University researchers have created a model for programming atoms using light, bypassing magnetic fields, which may advance quantum technology.
A team from Vilnius University’s Faculty of Physics has introduced a theoretical model that enables the programming of atoms using light, eliminating the need for magnetic fields.
The researchers propose that light can initially program the atoms, which are then influenced by a predetermined atomic environment that modifies the characteristics of laser beams.
Central to this model are optical vortices, which are beams characterized by a spiral wavefront that has a central point where intensity is zero. The size of this zero-intensity region is defined by a topological charge that can assume any integer value, whether positive or negative.
This approach potentially allows for the encoding of information in up to 10,000 different states, utilizing qudits instead of the conventional two-state qubit system.
To manipulate the vector vortices, the study focused on the interactions between the beam and an atomic gas containing atoms with three energy levels. The model suggests that the atomic environment adopts the spatial pattern of the light, leading to varying degrees of radiation absorption among atoms. This interaction creates a feedback mechanism that alters the beam’s structure.
Instead of forming a simple ring, a more complex petal-like pattern emerges, featuring multiple bright regions, along with changes in polarization. Previously, such intricate control necessitated the use of strong external magnetic fields and sophisticated equipment.
This innovative development could significantly enhance the speed of quantum processors, bolster secure quantum communication networks, and improve the precision of optical sensors.
In related news, on June 17, Sandia National Laboratories and the quantum computing firm Quantinuum released a peer-reviewed study on their 98-qubit quantum computer, Helios.
