Magnetic atom lattices for quantum information

Simply put, a quantum computer aims at solving computational problems using genuine quantum mechanical effects. An important feature is that a quantum computer can simulate the behavior of any other quantum mechanical system. Furthermore, quantum devices are predicted to enable secure communication through quantum key distribution, likely to influence future forms of data transmission.
Researchers examine different systems for the implementation of a quantum computer. Our platform uses neutral atoms, which are comparably insensitive to environmental influences. Naturally, they offer a way to implement a qubit, the basic computational unit of a quantum computer, using two different atomic states. Whereas low sensitivity to the environment is beneficial on one side, it has the disadvantage that neutral atoms hardly interact. Interaction between qubits is necessary to implement quantum mechanical gate operations. To overcome this problem, atoms are excited to states with high principal quantum number and mesoscopic radius (called Rydberg states), which can interact at distances of several μm.
Our platform offers a unique solution to the issue of scalability, meaning the ability to extend the system size sufficiently for a given task. The system features an atom chip with a permanent magnetic material, structured in a way to produce a lattice of magnetic microtraps for 87-Rb atoms. This work aims at examining different aspects of this atom chip with regard to quantum information experiments. In particular, we investigate if we can implement and manipulate a qubit using the atoms in the magnetic traps, and if we can excite Rydberg atoms close to the surface of the atom chip.