NIRT: Next Generation Atom Chips for Quantum Information Technology

该提案是响应纳米科学与工程倡议，NSF 01-157，类别NIRT。 这项工作的重点是探索一种新的量子信息和存储设备，原子芯片的范例。 在这个范例中，中性原子悬浮在纳米制造的载流结构上方。 这项工作将通过研究引入原子芯片的两项重要新技术来推进原子芯片的概念：（1）在原子芯片器件中使用超导材料和（2）研究在原子芯片上产生和控制里德伯原子的手段和方法。 在研究的这一部分中，原子芯片将用于研究原子与表面相互作用的纳米科学，并探索它们如何用于纳米技术。 对于量子信息的应用，原子芯片的工作将解决两个策略：第一，使用原子系综和集体原子态，如BEC，第二，使用单原子量子控制。 为了实现该项目的目标，一个跨越罗切斯特大学三个学术部门的三人跨学科小组已经成立。该奖项由数学和物理科学理事会的物理和材料研究部门以及计算机和信息科学与工程理事会的计算机通信研究部门共同资助。

This proposal was received in response to the Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 01-157, category NIRT. The work focuses on the exploration of a new paradigm for a quantum information and storage device, the atom chip. In this paradigm, neutral atoms are suspended above nanofabricated current carrying structures. This work will advance the atom chip concept by investigating two important new technologies for introduction into atom chips: (1) to use superconducting materials in atom chip devices and (2) to investigate means and methods for the creation and control of Rydberg atoms confined on atom chips. In this component of the research the atom chips will be used to study the nano-science of the atom-surface interaction and to explore how they may be used for nano-technology. For application to quantum information, the work on atom chips will address two strategies: First, the use of atomic ensembles and collective atomic states, such as a BEC and, secondly, the use of single atom quantum control. In order to accomplish the goals of the project a three-member interdisciplinary team spanning three academic departments at the University of Rochester has been assembled. This award is jointly funded by the Divisions of Physics and Materials Research in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate and the Division of Computer-Communications Research in the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering.