Simulating Spins with an Array of Single Molecules

量子力学是无数科学问题的核心，从分子的详细行为到超导性，再到微电子学和激光。 最简单的量子力学行为已经被用于构建全球定位系统核心的精确原子钟，该系统是大多数美国人用于导航的智能手机地图的基础。 目前的项目资助了一项更复杂的量子行为研究，其中许多量子系统以精确控制的方式相互作用。 由于中等大小的相互作用量子系统甚至超出了世界上最快的超级计算机的预测能力，这种“量子模拟器”被认为提供了可能推进化学，物理，医学和能源技术的新见解。 在这里开发的系统，基于单独控制的相互作用的分子，也将加强美国在全球范围内追求量子技术的领导地位，并培养和准备学生的量子技术劳动力。技术观众摘要：量子模拟，其中相图和多体量子系统的动力学可以直接模拟精确控制的实验室模拟，已经产生了很大的兴趣，在原子，分子和光学物理（AMO）社区。量子模拟的平台比比皆是，并且已经在研究量子磁学、多体局域化、费米-哈伯德模型和拓扑相位方面取得了成功。超冷分子的完全受控系统，具有丰富的内部结构和长程电偶极相互作用，已被提议作为候选者添加到这些平台中，以模拟自旋系统的动力学等。该项目旨在创建一个自旋动力学的量子模拟器，由一个可配置的超冷偶极分子阵列组成，一个原子一个原子地组装，并保持在单独的光镊中。这项工作涉及将单个分子的全量子态控制扩展到分子阵列，并通过电场和微波控制来调节它们的粒子间相互作用。此外，将光学镊子和晶格相结合，以同时减少光子散射，同时允许均匀的捕获电位，高捕获频率，灵活的几何形状和快速的重复率将被追求。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得支持的评估使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准。

General audience abstract:Quantum mechanics is at the heart of countless scientific problems, from the detailed behavior of molecules to superconductivity to microelectronics to lasers. The simplest quantum mechanical behavior has already been used to build the precise atomic clocks at the heart of our Global Positioning System, which underlies the smartphone maps that most Americans use for navigation. The current project funds a study of more complex quantum behavior, where many quantum systems interact in a precisely controlled manner. As moderately-sized interacting quantum systems are beyond the prediction power of even the world’s fastest supercomputers, such “quantum simulators” are thought to offer new insights that may advance chemistry, physics, medicine, and energy technology. The systems developed here, based on individually controlled interacting molecules, will also strengthen American leadership in the world-wide pursuit of quantum technologies and train and prepare students for the quantum technology workforce.Technical audience abstract:Quantum simulation, where phase diagrams and dynamics of many-body quantum systems can be simulated directly by precisely controlled laboratory analogues, has generated much interest in the Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (AMO) community. Platforms for quantum simulation abound and have already seen success in studying quantum magnetism, many-body localization, the Fermi-Hubbard model, and topological phases. Fully controlled systems of ultracold molecules, with their rich internal structure and long-range electric dipole interactions, have been proposed as candidates to add to these platforms in simulating the dynamics of spin systems, among many others. This project aims to create a quantum simulator of spin dynamics consisting of a configurable array of ultracold dipolar molecules, assembled atom by atom and held in individual optical tweezers. The work involves expanding full quantum state control of a single molecule to an array of molecules and tuning their inter-particle interactions by electric field and microwave control. Furthermore, a combination of optical tweezers and lattices to simultaneously reduce photon scattering while allowing uniform trapping potentials, high trapping frequencies, flexible geometries, and a fast repetition rate will be pursued.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.