Neutral atom quantum computing architecture based on 1D and 2D optical lattices on a chip

We present results of our investigation of neutral atom quantum computing architectures using 1D and 2D optical lattices on a chip. Previously, we have shown that lattices can be created above an optical waveguide by destructively interfering different, co-propagating waveguide modes of blue-detuned laser light [1]. The optical lattice nodes are suitable for tightly trapping single atoms, which can in turn serve as individually addressable qubits in a quantum memory. We are studying details of these systems including the polarization of the light around optical lattice nodes and the resulting Zeeman substate-dependence of the trapped-atom dynamics. We also explore the possibilities of moving traps within a lattice, entangling pairs of trapped atoms, and, ultimately, realizing one- and two-qubit gates. 1. Phys. Rev. A 70 032302 (2004).