A lattice of double wells for manipulating pairs of cold atoms

TL;DR

This paper presents a dynamically controllable 2D optical lattice of double wells for precise manipulation of atom pairs, enabling advanced quantum control and potential quantum computing applications.

Contribution

It introduces a phase-stable, dynamically adjustable double-well lattice capable of isolating and manipulating atom pairs with controlled properties.

Findings

Demonstrated coherent splitting of atoms into double wells

Achieved phase stability against vibrational noise

Observed double-slit atom diffraction pattern

Abstract

We describe the design and implementation of a 2D optical lattice of double wells suitable for isolating and manipulating an array of individual pairs of atoms in an optical lattice. Atoms in the square lattice can be placed in a double well with any of their four nearest neighbors. The properties of the double well (the barrier height and relative energy offset of the paired sites) can be dynamically controlled. The topology of the lattice is phase stable against phase noise imparted by vibrational noise on mirrors. We demonstrate the dynamic control of the lattice by showing the coherent splitting of atoms from single wells into double wells and observing the resulting double-slit atom diffraction pattern. This lattice can be used to test controlled neutral atom motion among lattice sites and should allow for testing controlled two-qubit gates.