Enhanced-loading and non-destructive imaging of alkali atoms in optical tweezers

Arrays of neutral atoms excited to Rydberg states have emerged as a promising platform for quantum information science. However, truly continuous operation of such a system requires atom loading, cooling, and imaging at a finite magnetic field as needed for gate operations, which has not been demonstrated for alkali atoms in optical tweezers. In this work, we develop a technique to laser cool and prepare Rb87 atom arrays in a finite magnetic field by combining fluorescence imaging with simultaneous EIT cooling. We achieve 99.6(3)% readout fidelity and 98.2(3)% survival probability, with enhanced loading probabilities of up to 68(2)% by tuning the experimental parameters. The technique cools both axial and radial directions, and will be a key component of the next generation of continuously operating, high-fidelity neutral atom quantum processors.