Optimal control in phase space applied to minimal-time transfer of thermal atoms in optical traps

TL;DR

This paper develops an optimal control method for the rapid, high-fidelity transfer of ultracold atoms in optical traps, incorporating classical and quantum models with noise considerations to minimize transfer time.

Contribution

It introduces a phase-space optimal control procedure for non-adiabatic atom transport that accounts for quantum effects and noise, optimizing speed and fidelity.

Findings

Achieves minimal transfer time for ultracold atoms with high fidelity.

Incorporates quantum effects and noise into the control process.

Provides a method applicable to large atom arrays for quantum experiments.

Abstract

We present an optimal control procedure for the non-adiabatic transport of ultracold neutral thermal atoms in optical tweezers arranged in a one-dimensional array, with focus on reaching minimal transfer time. The particle dynamics are modeled first using a classical approach through the Liouville equation and second through the quantum Wigner equation to include quantum effects. Both methods account for typical experimental noise described as stochastic effects through Fokker-Planck terms. The optimal control process is initialized with a trajectory computed for a single classical particle and determines the phase-space path that minimizes transport time and ensures high transport fidelity to the target trap. This approach provides the fastest and most efficient method for relocating atoms from an initial configuration to a desired target arrangement, minimizing time and energy costs while ensuring high fidelity. Such an approach may be highly valuable to initialize large atom arrays for quantum simulation or computation experiments.