Progress Towards a Novel Hybrid Rydberg-Atom-Microwave-Cavity Quantum System

Hybrid quantum systems, composed of Rydberg atoms inside microwave cavities, are promising platforms for quantum information science, with applications in hybrid quantum computing architectures and microwave-to-optical photon transduction. We present progress in the development of a novel hybrid atom-cavity system where single neutral cesium atoms will be placed inside of a bulk microwave cavity, with a resonance at 5-10 GHz. The resonator is built to concentrate the field-mode at large distances from internal surfaces, enabling strong Rydberg-atom-cavity coupling while reducing the effects of uncontrolled surface dc electric fields. The atom cooling and trapping will be performed using a grating MOT chip, and the atom transport into the cavity will be done with an optical conveyor belt. This configuration will reduce the system complexity and improve stability. We also present experimental progress demonstrating a novel, Doppler-insensitive, Rydberg excitation scheme, 6S1/2 → 5D5/2 → 52P3/2, with Rydberg Rabi oscillations produced inside of a 77 K cryostat.