Physicists developed a technique to arrange atoms in much closer proximity than previously possible, down to 50 nanometers. The group plans to use the method to manipulate atoms into configurations that could generate the first purely magnetic quantum gate -- a key building block for a new type of quantum computer.
Proximity is key for many quantum phenomena, as interactions between atoms are stronger when the particles are close. In many quantum simulators, scientists arrange atoms as close together as possible to explore exotic states of matter and build new quantum materials.
"We have gone from positioning atoms from 500 nanometers to 50 nanometers apart, and there is a lot you can do with this," says Wolfgang Ketterle, the John D. MacArthur Professor of Physics at MIT."At 50 nanometers, the behavior of atoms is so much different that we're really entering a new regime here."
The team's new approach, like current techniques, starts by cooling a cloud of atoms -- in this case, to about 1 microkelvin, just a hair above absolute zero -- at which point, the atoms come to a near-standstill. Physicists can then use lasers to move the frozen particles into desired configurations.
"The idea of sending both beams through the optical fiber meant the whole machine could shake violently, but the two laser beams stayed absolutely stable with respect to each others," Du says.As a first test of their new technique, the team used atoms of dysprosium -- a rare-earth metal that is one of the strongest magnetic elements in the periodic table, particularly at ultracold temperatures.
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