Towards distributed quantum information processing using coupling of neutral atoms to plasmonic nanostructures

Abstract

Communication and transfer of quantum information between two physically separatedquantum systems 8211 distributed quantum information processing QIP is one ofthe key steps towards scalable and networked quantum computing In this direction we propose to experimentally develop and demonstrate a novel experimental platformfor achieving strong coupling between ultracold Rubidium Rb atoms and plasmonpolaritonmodes in conducting nanostructures These schemes provide an alternativemechanism to the more complex and well known cavity quantum electrodynamics CQED systems for achieving strong coupling The thesis has two major components of work namely a Design and constructionof an experimental apparatus for production of samples of utlracold 87Rb atoms downto temperatures to where quantum degeneracy can be achieved b The second part is todesign and characterize plasmonic nanostructures for trapping individual neutral 87Rbatoms A significant portion of the work describes the construction of an experimental setupto produce 87Rb Bose Einstein Condensate BEC This machine would allow productionof high density high number ultracold samples of large number of atoms at temperaturesfrom a few 100 8217 s of K down to 100 8217 s of nK In the next phase of the experiment individual atoms from the BEC will be isolated by transferring the condensateinto a 3 D optical lattice potentials and tuning the lattice parameters to achieve a Mottinsulatorphase Ultracold sample of 87Rb BEC is made using the standard techniquesof laser cooling and trapping in a magneto optic trap transferring in a novel modifiedQuadrupole Ioffe magnetic trap This is followed by forced RF evaporative cooling toachieve the desired phase space densities for achieving BEC The second major part of the work done in the thesis is the design fabrication andcharacterization of the nanostructures Existing pro newline newline