Coupling Rydberg Atoms to Microwave Fields in a Superconducting Coplanar Waveguide Resonator

Area of Science:

• Quantum optics
• Atomic physics
• Superconducting circuits

Background:

• Rydberg atoms are highly sensitive to external fields.
• Superconducting coplanar waveguide (CPW) resonators offer precise microwave control.
• Coupling atomic systems to microwave resonators is crucial for quantum information processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the coherent coupling between Rydberg helium atoms and a superconducting microwave resonator.
• To demonstrate controlled microwave transitions between Rydberg states.
• To study the coherence properties of the atom-resonator system.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of Rydberg helium atoms in the 1s55s 3S1 state via two-photon laser excitation.
• Driving two-photon microwave transitions between Rydberg states (1s55s 3S1 to 1s56s 3S1) using a superconducting CPW resonator.
• Utilizing state-selective pulsed electric field ionization for population measurements.
• Performing time-domain Rabi oscillation measurements to assess coherence.

Main Results:

• Successful coupling of Rydberg helium atoms to a superconducting CPW resonator.
• Observation of microwave-driven transitions between specific Rydberg states.
• Demonstration of Rabi oscillations, indicating coherent interaction between the atoms and the resonator's microwave field.
• Characterization of atom-resonator coupling coherence at cryogenic temperatures (3.65–4.30 K).

Conclusions:

• Coherent coupling between Rydberg helium atoms and a superconducting microwave resonator has been achieved.
• The experimental setup allows for controlled manipulation of Rydberg states via microwave fields.
• The observed Rabi oscillations confirm the potential for utilizing this system in quantum information processing and precision measurements.