A University at Buffalo physicist has secured $1.1 million in U.S. Department of Defense grants to explore the fundamental quantum dynamics underpinning neutral-atom quantum computing, a field that has advanced rapidly over the past five years, growing from laboratory prototypes to systems with more than 1,200 programmable qubits. Jamir Marino, PhD, assistant professor of physics will lead research simulating the behavior of these quantum particles, utilizing advanced theoretical models to represent information with highly excited Rydberg atoms. Researchers have also demonstrated improvements in accuracy and early quantum error correction, positioning neutral-atom computing as a leading candidate for large-scale computation. “We need elegant theories to predict and explain these particles’ behavior in the next generation of fault-tolerant quantum computers,” says Marino, who will leverage the computing resources at Empire AI to accelerate these large-scale simulations.
Rydberg Atom Arrays and Optical Cavities Enhance Quantum Networking
The rapid advancement of neutral-atom quantum computing has yielded systems now capable of controlling over 6,000 individual atoms, a scale previously unattainable five years ago, and exceeding 1,200 programmable qubits. This progress is now being bolstered by research into novel architectures combining Rydberg atom arrays with optical cavities, aiming to overcome limitations in scaling and stability. Jamir Marino, assistant professor of physics is leading investigations funded by two U.S. Department of Defense grants totaling $1.1 million, focused on the quantum dynamics underpinning these systems. Marino’s team at Buffalo is simulating the behavior of Rydberg atoms, highly excited atoms used as qubits, when placed within optical cavities, formed by mirrors designed to trap and manipulate light. This approach seeks to leverage the unique properties of these interactions to enhance quantum networking.
A key focus is understanding how kinetic constraints within Rydberg arrays can be harnessed to strengthen the Rydberg-cavity architecture; strong interactions between atoms may offer a control mechanism for preserving fragile quantum behavior. The research explores classifying quantum states based on entanglement structure and computational advantage, mirroring how scientists categorize phases of matter like solids and liquids.
We need elegant theories to predict and explain these particles’ behavior in the next generation of fault-tolerant quantum computers.
Many-Body Quantum Physics for Entangled State Control
The pursuit of scalable quantum computing increasingly focuses on harnessing the collective behavior of many interacting quantum particles, a field known as many-body quantum physics. Current neutral-atom systems, having progressed from laboratory prototypes to processors exceeding 1,200 programmable qubits and systems capable of controlling more than 6,000 individual atoms over the past five years, now demand a deeper understanding of these complex interactions. Jamir Marino and his team are investigating how to classify quantum states not simply by their energy, but by the structure of their entanglement, the interconnectedness that underpins quantum computation. “Much as scientists classify familiar phases of matter — such as solids, liquids and magnets — by the arrangement of their particles, we hope to classify exotic quantum phases by the structure of their entanglement and their potential to power future quantum technologies,” Marino explains. This research, supported by a $580,000 grant from the U.S.
Navy, centers on Rydberg atoms operating far from equilibrium, conditions where particles haven’t settled into a stable state. Understanding these dynamic systems is crucial, as not all entanglement is equally beneficial for computation; the goal is to engineer states that maximize computational advantage. A parallel effort, funded by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory with a $555,000 grant, explores using quantum light to network multiple arrays of neutral atoms, potentially scaling up processing power. Marino’s team simulates Rydberg arrays within optical cavities, investigating whether inherent kinetic constraints can actually strengthen the system’s ability to maintain fragile quantum states. “These constraints may not be a hindrance but rather a great control mechanism to engineer new ways of creating entangled quantum states within the architecture,” he says, suggesting that limitations can be repurposed for enhanced control.
These constraints may not be a hindrance but rather a great control mechanism to engineer new ways of creating entangled quantum states within the architecture.
$1.1 Million DoD Grants Advance Neutral-Atom Quantum Computing
$1.1 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Defense will support theoretical modeling of quantum dynamics critical for scaling these systems. Marino’s work focuses on simulating the behavior of Rydberg atoms, the fundamental qubits in this architecture, utilizing the substantial computing resources at Empire AI, a $500 million research consortium. Complementing this, a $580,000 grant from the U.S. Navy will focus on many-body quantum properties, aiming to unlock the full potential of neutral-atom computing.
Much as scientists classify familiar phases of matter – such as solids, liquids and magnets – by the arrangement of their particles, we hope to classify exotic quantum phases by the structure of their entanglement and their potential to power future quantum technologies.
