The central objective of the RySQ project is to implement and exploit Quantum Simulators based on Rydberg atoms (called Rydberg Quantum Simulators, RQS), because their outstanding versatility allows us to address not just one but a whole family of quantum simulations, by exploiting different aspects of the same experimental and theoretical tools. Unique features of laser excited Rydberg atoms are their long-range van-der-Waals or dipolar interactions, which are simultaneously very large, and entirely controllable by external fields. They offer therefore many different modes of operation, with either single atom or collective variables, dissipative, monitored and coherent dynamics, short and long range interactions, qubits and multi-level systems.
Therefore, RQS provide a powerful toolbox for designing many-body quantum systems for quantum simulation, and to study static and dynamical behaviors, effects of dissipation, transport phenomena, applied to exotic and elusive phases of matter, including frustrated phases, lattice gauge theories, and non-equilibrium dynamics.
The specific, overarching objectives for the project RYSQ are the following:
(A) to build and run experimental multi-purpose platforms for quantum simulations based on Rydberg atoms; this is an “enabling” objective, aiming at the design and implementation of specific tools. This has been done within the 3 work packages (WP) :
WP 1 “Benchmarking and interfaces”
WP 2 “New concepts and new platforms”
WP 3 “Interaction control in quantum systems”
(B) to exploit for the first time the power of Rydberg Quantum Simulators (RQS) in a range of important problems; this is an “enabled” objective, constituting the core outcome of the project. This has been done within the 3 work packages (WP) :
WP 4 “Many-Body Structures and Phase Transitions”
WP 5 “Quantum simulation of non-equilibrium systems”
WP 6 “Quantum simulation of open systems”
Basically all these overarching objectives have been reached, following the initial design of the project, and the main highlights are presented in the next section. The results have been published in 102 articles in international journals, including 32 in high-impact journals (Science, Nature, PRL, PRX). They have also been presented in more than 500 contributions to international conferences, including 400 invited talks.
In addition, the work has been disseminated in broad audience through various activities such as exhibition, podcast participation, interviews and live events for a total of more than 40 interactions. The general subject of quantum technologies is currently very present is the media, and RySQ partners were often involved in informal contacts with journalists.
More generally, Quantum Technologies (QT) are now a major issue at the European level, due to the launch of the QT flagship. The RySQ partners are strongly involved at all levels of the flagship, both in the structures and committees organizing the Strategic Research Agenda, and in the research projects themselves. It is therefore expected that RySQ will be one of seeds growing up in a full tree, for major societal societal impact in the framework of the QT flagship.
