This experiment aims to explore new avenues of quantum science with ultracold polar molecules by forming single RbCs molecules in optical tweezers by associating individual Rb and Cs atoms.
Controllable arrays of ultracold molecules offer an exciting new platform for quantum experiments. For example, such arrays may be used for quantum simulation of problems ubiquitous to condensed matter physics such as lattice spin models. Alternatively, with precise single-site control, the molecules may be independently moved around and merged together in miniature particle colliders, allowing for the study of ultracold chemistry on a single particle level where quantum effects dominate.
The group has recently realised the formation of ground state RbCs molecules trapped in individual tweezers. We are now studying the interactions of these molecules with Rb Rydberg atoms with the aim of creating a hybrid quantum system.
Watch our short video to learn more about our work:
[9] Long-lived entanglement of molecules in magic-wavelength optical tweezers
Daniel K. Ruttley*, Tom R. Hepworth*, Alexander Guttridge, and Simon L. Cornish
Nature 637, 827 (2025)
[8] Coherent spin-1 dynamics encoded in the rotational states of ultracold molecules
Tom R. Hepworth*, Daniel K. Ruttley*, Fritz von Gierke, Philip D. Gregory, Alexander Guttridge, Simon L. Cornish
arXiv:2412.15088 (2024)
[7] Individual assembly of two-species Rydberg molecules using optical tweezers
Alexander Guttridge, Tom R. Hepworth, Daniel K. Ruttley, Aileen A. T. Durst, Matthew T. Eiles, and Simon L. Cornish
arXiv:2412.14888 (2024)
[6] Enhanced quantum control of individual ultracold molecules using optical tweezer arrays
Daniel K. Ruttley, Alexander Guttridge, Tom R. Hepworth, and Simon L. Cornish
PRX Quantum 5, 020333 (2024)
[5] Observation of Rydberg blockade due to the charge-dipole interaction between an atom and a polar molecule
Alexander Guttridge*, Daniel K. Ruttley*, Archie C. Baldock, Rosario González-Férez, H. R. Sadeghpour, C. S. Adams, and Simon L. Cornish
Phys. Rev. Lett. 131, 013401 (2023)
[4] Formation of ultracold molecules by merging optical tweezers
Daniel K. Ruttley*, Alexander Guttridge*, Stefan Spence, Robert C. Bird, C. Ruth Le Sueur, Jeremy M. Hutson, and Simon L. Cornish
Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 223401 (2023)
[3] Feshbach spectroscopy of Cs atom pairs in optical tweezers
R. V. Brooks*, Alexander Guttridge*, Matthew D. Frye, Daniel K. Ruttley, Stefan Spence, Jeremy M. Hutson, and Simon L. Cornish
New J. Phys. 24, 113051 (2022)
[2] Preparation of 87Rb and 133Cs in the motional ground state of a single optical tweezer
Stefan Spence, R. V. Brooks, Daniel K. Ruttley, Alexander Guttridge, and Simon L. Cornish
New J. Phys. 24, 103022 (2022)
[1] Preparation of 87Rb and 133Cs in the motional ground state of a single optical tweezer
R. V. Brooks, Stefan Spence, Alexander Guttridge, A. Alampounti, A. Rakonjac, L. A. McArd, Jeremy M. Hutson, and Simon L. Cornish
New J. Phys. 23, 065002 (2021)
Daniel Ruttley: A Hybrid Quantum System of Ultracold Polar Molecules and Rydberg Atoms (2024)
Stefan Spence: Assembling Single RbCs Molecules with Optical Tweezers (2023)
Vincent Brooks: Control and Collisions of 87Rb and 133Cs Atoms in Optical Tweezers (2022)