Researchers at the Technion Faculty of Physics have successfully demonstrated the controlled transfer of atoms using coherent tunneling between “optical tweezers”. Led by Prof. Yoav Sagi and doctoral student Yanay Florshaim, this breakthrough experiment was published in Science Advances. Optical tweezers, a tool that captures atoms, molecules, and even living cells using laser beams focused to a micron-sized spot, earned physicist Arthur Ashkin the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018.
The Technion team used a linear array of three optical tweezers, dynamically controlling the tunneling rate of atoms between them by changing the distances between each pair of adjacent tweezers. This allowed for the smooth and efficient transfer of atoms between the two outer tweezers. The researchers also showed that the likelihood of finding the atoms in the middle tweezer is very low due to destructive wave interference. This innovative method could represent a significant milestone in developing new quantum platforms, supported by the Israel Science Foundation, the Pazy Foundation, and the Helen Diller Quantum Center at the Technion.
Controlled Atom Transfer through Quantum Tunneling
The manipulation of individual atoms has long been a goal in quantum physics. Researchers at the Technion Faculty of Physics have made significant progress towards achieving this goal by demonstrating controlled transfer of atoms using coherent tunneling between “optical tweezers.” This breakthrough experiment, published in Science Advances, showcases the potential of optical tweezers as a tool for precise atom manipulation.
Optical tweezers are experimental tools that use laser beams focused to a micron-sized spot to capture and manipulate tiny particles such as atoms. The interaction of light with matter generates a force proportional to the intensity of the light, which is strong enough to hold or move individual atoms. This technique has become a significant tool in physics, earning physicist Arthur Ashkin the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018.
In their experiment, the researchers used a linear array of three optical tweezers to control the tunneling rate of atoms between them dynamically. By changing the distances between each pair of adjacent tweezers, they could smoothly and efficiently transfer atoms between the two outer tweezers. This level of control is made possible by the phenomenon of quantum tunneling, where particles have a chance to pass through a potential barrier they cannot classically overcome.
The Quantum Tunneling Phenomenon
Quantum tunneling is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics that allows particles to pass through potential barriers that would be impossible to overcome in classical physics. This phenomenon arises from the wave-like nature of particles at the atomic and subatomic level, where particles are described by wave packets rather than definite positions.
In the context of the experiment, the researchers exploited this phenomenon to transfer atoms between the optical tweezers. By controlling the tunneling rate, they could smoothly and efficiently move atoms from one location to another. This level of control is a significant milestone in developing new quantum platforms, where precise manipulation of individual atoms is crucial.
The Role of Optical Tweezers
Optical tweezers are central to this experiment, providing the necessary force to capture and manipulate individual atoms. Their invention has revolutionized the field of physics, enabling researchers to study and manipulate tiny particles with unprecedented precision.
In this experiment, the linear array of three optical tweezers was used to control the dynamic dynamic tunneling rate of atoms between them. By changing the distances between each pair of adjacent tweezers, the researchers could smoothly and efficiently transfer atoms between the two outer tweezers. This level of control is a testament to the power and versatility of optical tweezers as a tool for precise atom manipulation.
Implications and Future Directions
The successful demonstration of controlled atom transfer through quantum tunneling has significant implications for developing new quantum platforms. The ability to precisely manipulate individual atoms opens up new possibilities for the creation of quantum systems with unprecedented control and precision.
Future directions for this research include exploring the potential applications of this technique in fields such as quantum computing, quantum simulation, and quantum metrology. Additionally, further studies are needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms of quantum tunneling and its role in atom transfer. The researchers believe that this experiment represents a significant milestone in the development of new quantum platforms, and they look forward to exploring the many possibilities that this technique has to offer.
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