Dr. Yichao Yu
Duke University
Abstract:
Progress in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics has been driven by a powerful paradigm: leveraging simple, well-understood quantum systems together with precise control techniques to realize and explore complex many-body dynamics. While the intrinsic coherence and predictability of atoms, molecules, and ions provide an exceptional foundation, it is the continual expansion of the quantum toolbox, the methods for preparing, controlling, and measuring quantum systems, that ultimately defines these platforms and enables applications in quantum simulation, quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum networking, and beyond.
In this talk, I present two complementary examples of quantum toolbox extensions from my work. First, I describe the development of a new platform based on ultracold dipolar molecules in optical tweezers. Rather than attempting to control molecules directly, we leverage mature atomic cooling and control techniques to coherently associate individual atoms into ultracold molecules, realizing a flexible "molecule assembler". Second, I introduce a set of tools that add mid-circuit measurement and reset capabilities to trapped-ion quantum computers with minimal hardware complexity and time overhead.
Together, these examples illustrate how expanding the quantum toolbox broadens the scope of quantum science and technology in AMO physics.