Annulled van der Waals interaction and fast Rydberg quantum gates

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method to nullify van der Waals interactions between Rydberg atoms using superpositions of states, enabling ultra-fast quantum gates with operation times in the tens of nanoseconds.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach to eliminate van der Waals interactions via superpositions, facilitating rapid Rydberg-based quantum gates.

Findings

Null points in van der Waals interactions are achievable with superpositions.

Proposed quantum gate operates in tens of nanoseconds.

GHz rate transitions enable fast Rydberg state manipulation.

Abstract

A pair of neutral atoms separated by several microns and prepared in identical s-states of large principal quantum number experience a van der Waals interaction. If microwave fields are used to generate a superposition of s-states with different principal quantum numbers, a null point may be found at which a specific superposition state experiences no van der Waals interaction. An application of this novel Rydberg state in a quantum controlled-Z gate is proposed, which takes advantage of GHz rate transitions to nearby Rydberg states. A gate operation time in the tens of nanoseconds is predicted.