Development of Yb tweezer arrays for quantum simulation and communication

Neutral atoms trapped in optical tweezer arrays are a rapidly advancing platform for quantum science. Pairing this versatile platform with the unique atomic structure of ytterbium atoms enables myriad opportunities for novel implementations of quantum computation, simulation, and communication. We aim to perform simulations of quark-level effective field theories (EFTs) for quantum chromodynamics (QCD). EFTs are commonly used to explore low-energy, emergent phenomena in QCD where ab-initio calculations are impossible. Furthermore, the short-range interactions commonly employed in EFTs map favorably onto the natural interactions between tweezer-trapped Rydberg atoms. We report progress toward implementing experimental capabilities necessary to perform these simulations including site-selective state manipulation using the ¹S₀ to ³P₀ “clock” transition and excitation to Rydberg states using 302 nm laser light. Additionally, we report progress toward leveraging telecom wavelength transitions from the ³P₀ state to herald entanglement between atoms via bell state measurements of emitted photons sent across an optical fiber network.