Progress towards harnessing Rydberg-atom synthetic dimensions in arrays of single atoms.

Rydberg-atom synthetic dimensions¹ have potential for exploring new physics by realizing higher-dimensional synthetic lattices, and non-trivial spatial and band-structure topologies. In such systems, tunneling along the synthetic dimension is set by the millimeter-wave (~ 20 GHz) coupling of synthetic lattice sites, i.e., Rydberg levels. By using atoms trapped in closely-spaced optical tweezers with long-range dipolar interactions, it should be possible to realize many-body systems with localized interactions in synthetic space. Here, we present progress towards construction of an experimental apparatus optimized for application of millimeter-waves (10-50 GHz), charged-particle detection methods, and optical tweezers. A finite element analysis of the millimeter-wave propagation is used to guide design and minimize interference patterns and resonances inside the vacuum chamber, which can create challenges for engineering synthetic dimensions with specified tunneling rates..

1. Kanungo, S.K., Whalen, J.D., Lu, Y. et al. Realizing topological edge states with Rydberg-atom synthetic dimensions. Nat Commun 13, 972 (2022).