A cavity-array microscope for parallel single-atom interfacing

Area of Science:

• Quantum Science
• Quantum Optics
• Atomic Physics

Background:

• Neutral-atom arrays and optical cavity quantum electrodynamics are key experimental quantum science platforms.
• Existing hybrid systems face limitations in scalability and addressability due to global cavity modes.
• Combining these platforms promises advancements in quantum networking and atom measurement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel experimental platform integrating neutral-atom arrays with individual optical cavities.
• To overcome limitations of previous hybrid systems by enabling scalable, parallel atom-cavity interactions.
• To demonstrate fast, non-destructive readout and explore applications in quantum networking.

Main Methods:

• Developed a free-space cavity geometry with intra-cavity lenses, creating a cavity-array microscope.
• Integrated over 40 individual optical cavities with a two-dimensional neutral-atom array.
• Achieved micrometre-scale mode waists and spacings compatible with atom-array dimensions.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated homogeneous atom-cavity coupling across the array.
• Achieved fast, non-destructive, parallel readout of individual atoms on millisecond timescales.
• Showcased a fiber array interface for networking applications and a next-generation platform with over 500 cavities.

Conclusions:

• The cavity-array microscope unlocks the regime of many-cavity quantum electrodynamics.
• This platform enables scalable quantum networking with neutral-atom arrays.
• Opens new frontiers for hybrid quantum systems and advanced quantum information processing.