Quantum phenomena rely on the proximity of atoms, as interactions between particles are stronger when they are close together. Scientists often arrange atoms close together in quantum simulators to explore exotic states of matter and create new quantum materials. However, existing techniques have been limited to positioning atoms as close as 500 nanometers apart due to the wavelength of light. MIT physicists have now developed a new approach that allows them to arrange atoms as close as 50 nanometers, enabling them to study quantum phenomena at much shorter distances.
The researchers demonstrated their new technique with dysprosium, the most magnetic atom in nature. By positioning two layers of dysprosium atoms precisely 50 nanometers apart, they were able to observe 1,000 times stronger magnetic interactions compared to when the layers were separated by 500 nanometers. The extreme proximity of the layers resulted in new effects such as thermalization and synchronized oscillations between the layers, which diminished as the spacing between the layers increased.
The team’s approach involves cooling a cloud of atoms to near absolute zero and using laser beams to manipulate the atoms into desired configurations. By using two laser beams with different frequencies and circular polarizations, they were able to corral atoms with opposite spins into separate layers at a distance of 50 nanometers. The stability of the lasers was maintained by directing them through an optical fiber, ensuring that the atoms were positioned accurately and precisely.
Using dysprosium atoms allowed the researchers to observe enhanced magnetic interactions at close proximity. The team found that at a distance of 50 nanometers, the magnetic forces between atoms were significantly stronger, leading to the emergence of collective oscillations and thermalization between the layers. These new quantum phenomena demonstrated the potential of positioning atoms in close proximity to study and harness their unique properties for the development of new quantum materials and components for quantum computers.
The results of this study, published in the journal Science, open up possibilities for future research in quantum simulation and exploration of quantum phenomena at a super-resolution level. The team plans to further develop their technique by applying it to various other types of atoms to expand their understanding of quantum interactions and potentially advance the field of quantum computing. The funding for this research was provided by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense, highlighting the importance of this groundbreaking work in the field of quantum physics.
