Dark-state enhanced loading of an optical tweezer array

TL;DR

This paper introduces a species-agnostic dark-state enhanced loading method for optical tweezer arrays, significantly increasing loading efficiency and array size, which advances quantum simulation and computation capabilities.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel dark-state enhanced loading protocol using real-time feedback and shelving states, achieving higher loading probabilities and larger arrays.

Findings

Achieved 84.02% loading probability in a 95-tweezer array.

Demonstrated maximum array size of 91 atoms in one dimension.

Protocol is compatible with existing light-assisted collision schemes.

Abstract

Neutral atoms and molecules trapped in optical tweezers have become a prevalent resource for quantum simulation, computation, and metrology. However, the maximum achievable system sizes of such arrays are often limited by the stochastic nature of loading into optical tweezers, with a typical loading probability of only 50%. Here we present a species-agnostic method for dark-state enhanced loading (DSEL) based on real-time feedback, long-lived shelving states, and iterated array reloading. We demonstrate this technique with a 95-tweezer array of $^{88}$Sr atoms, achieving a maximum loading probability of 84.02(4)% and a maximum array size of 91 atoms in one dimension. Our protocol is complementary to, and compatible with, existing schemes for enhanced loading based on direct control over light-assisted collisions, and we predict it can enable close-to-unity filling for arrays of atoms or molecules.