Events

Laser-Cooled Molecules for Quantum Science Applications

Dr. Loïc Anderegg

Mar 2, 2022
4:00 pm to 5:15 pm | Remote

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In this fifth installment of the 2022 Next-Gen Quantum Colloquia series, Loïc Anderegg, a postdoc in the Doyle Lab, will provide a briefing on recent progress in laser-cooling molecules for quantum science applications.

Abstract:

Wide-ranging scientific applications have contributed to significant advances in controlling molecules at the single-quantum-state level.  Progress in direct laser-cooling of molecules has led to the first molecular magneto-optical traps, which have allowed for optical trapping of ultracold molecules.  Optical tweezer arrays are a powerful platform for accessing applications ranging from precision measurement to quantum simulation and quantum information processing.  They offer both the possibility of high-fidelity readout as well as quantum control of individual molecules and systems.   In this talk, I will present our approach of using these tweezers of calcium monofluoride molecules in combination with internal-state control to perform state-dependent collisional studies.  We apply microwave radiation to directly engineer and tune the interaction potentials between molecules, creating a repulsive shield which suppresses inelastic loss. This generalizable approach provides a route to creating dense, long-lived samples of ultracold molecules and applying evaporative cooling.  We’ll also look at data on rotational coherence times in optical tweezer traps - which are so critical to the performance of quantum information processing with polar molecule arrays - and discuss the progress we are making toward this goal.  Finally, we’ll take a look at laser-cooling and trapping of polyatomic molecules.  Their distinct combination of rotational and vibrational degrees of freedom promise a range of transformational possibilities uniquely suited to future applications in quantum computation and simulation.

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Speaker Bio

Loïc Anderegg grew up in Southern California and attended UC Berkeley, receiving his B.A. in physics in 2014. As an undergraduate he joined the group of Holger Müller where he worked on precision tests of Lorentz invariance. Loïc received his PhD in 2019 from Harvard University working on laser cooling and trapping of ultracold CaF. He is currently a Harvard Quantum Initiative postdoctoral fellow continuing work with ultracold CaF as well as CaOH. When not complaining about the Bostonian weather, Loïc enjoys swimming, running, and cycling outdoors.

 

Contact
Host:

Harvard Quantum Initiative

Contact:

Carol Lynn Alpert

Phone:

617-388-4631

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