Physical Society Colloquium

Exploring new frontiers of quantum optical science

Mikhail Lukin

Department of Physics
Harvard University

We will discuss recent developments at a new scientific interface between quantum optics, many-body physics and quantum information science. One example involves the use of quantum optical techniques for manipulating many-body systems composed from individually trapped, strongly interacting cold neutral atoms. Using this approach we realize a programmable Ising-type quantum spin model with tunable interactions and system sizes exceeding 50 qubits. Within this model we observe transitions into ordered states that break various discrete symmetries, verify high-fidelity preparation of ordered states, and investigate dynamics across the phase transition in large arrays of atoms. As a second example, we discuss how coherent manipulation of strongly interacting atom-like impurities in the solid-state can be used to realize and probe novel quantum phases of matter away from equilibrium. In particular, we will discuss the experimental realization of the so-called discrete time-crystalline order using electronic spin impurities in black diamond. Finally, we will discuss how these systems and techniques can be used for testing quantum algorithms, probing non-equilibrium quantum dynamics in many-body systems, and developing new applications such as nanoscale sensing in biology and material science.