Classical computers are limited when trying to solve quantum physics problems that involve many strongly-interacting particles. This is because with every new particle we introduce into the problem, the computation time grows by at least a factor of two. This means that with only 100 particles or more, classical computers need years to solve a problem. The famous, Nobel-prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman suggested using a well-controlled quantum system to simulate the quantum problem of interest, much like a model airplane in a wind tunnel simulates a real airplane. Experimental platforms that achieve this are called quantum simulators.
The objective of this project is to build a new type of quantum simulator using ultracold strontium atoms in optical lattices, standing waves of light that act as a potential for atoms.
These optical lattices cannot be made infinitely large due to laser power limitations and therefore, state-of-the-art quantum simulators are limited to only a few hundred atoms. The optical lattices in this new quantum simulator should be very large and thus enable simulations with tens of thousands of atoms, a particle number 100 times larger than previously possible. These lattices should also be different for different internal states of the atom, i.e. state-dependent, to enable new types of quantum simulations.
The envisioned quantum simulation is of strong light-matter interactions. Atom-light interaction in only well understood in the few-body or weak-interaction regime. Strong interactions of light and matter in a many-body system are not well understood. This quantum simulator could answer these questions and enable better time keeping by enabling better atomic clocks, more robust quantum memories for quantum information, and provide solutions to long-standing quantum-chemistry problems.
