Skip to main content

Photonic Control Research

Research into scalable photonic integrated circuits for atom array control and manipulation.

Research Focus​

This research thrust develops atom-control photonic integrated circuits (APICs) and scalable modulation systems to enable precise control of large neutral atom arrays, addressing the scaling challenges of conventional bulk optic approaches.

Selected Publications​

Integrated Photonics for Quantum Technologies​

Research into silicon nitride and lithium niobate photonic platforms optimized for atomic transition wavelengths, enabling chip-scale control of neutral atom qubits.

Scalable Optical Control of Atom Arrays​

Development of acousto-optic and electro-optic modulator arrays for parallel, independent control of hundreds to thousands of individual atomic qubits.

High-Power Integrated Optical Sources​

Low-noise laser systems integrated with photonic circuits for scalable delivery of control light to atom array systems.

Technical Background​

Scaling neutral atom quantum computers to thousands of qubits requires replacing bulk optics with integrated photonic solutions:

  • Wavelength coverage: Photonic circuits optimized for atomic transitions (780nm Rb, 852nm Cs, etc.)
  • Parallel modulation: Arrays of integrated modulators for site-selective control
  • Phase stability: Chip-scale integration reduces path-length fluctuations

Principal Investigators​

Dirk Englund (MIT) Quantum Photonics Group

Adrian Menssen (MIT)