Molecular Dynamics in Rydberg Tweezer Arrays: Spin-Phonon Entanglement and Jahn-Teller Effect

Magoni, Matteo; Joshi, Radhika; Lesanovsky, Igor

Abstract

Atoms confined in optical tweezer arrays constitute a platform for the implementation of quantum computers and simulators. State-dependent operations are realized by exploiting electrostatic dipolar interactions that emerge, when two atoms are simultaneously excited to high-lying electronic states, so-called Rydberg states. These interactions also lead to state-dependent mechanical forces, which couple the electronic dynamics of the atoms to their vibrational motion. We explore these vibronic couplings within an artificial molecular system in which Rydberg states are excited under so-called facilitation conditions. This system, which is not necessarily self-bound, undergoes a structural transition between an equilateral triangle and an equal-weighted superposition of distorted triangular states (Jahn-Teller regime) exhibiting spin-phonon entanglement on a micrometer distance. This highlights the potential of Rydberg tweezer arrays for the study of molecular phenomena at exaggerated length scales.

Citation

Magoni, M., Joshi, R., & Lesanovsky, I. (2023). Molecular Dynamics in Rydberg Tweezer Arrays: Spin-Phonon Entanglement and Jahn-Teller Effect. Physical Review Letters, 131(9), Article 093002. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.131.093002

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 15, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 1, 2023
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: Aug 22, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 11, 2023
• Journal: Physical Review Letters
• Print ISSN: 0031-9007
• Electronic ISSN: 1079-7114
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 131
• Issue: 9
• Article Number: 093002
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.131.093002
• Keywords: Cold gases in optical lattices; Potential energy surfaces; Rydberg gases; Van der Waals interaction; Atoms; Rydberg atoms & molecules; Trapped atoms; Adiabatic approximation; Perturbative methods
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/24577770
• Publisher URL: https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.131.093002