Qubit Zoo

Demonstration of a Neutral Atom Controlled-NOT Quantum Gate

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First experimental demonstration of a CNOT gate between two individually trapped ⁸⁷Rb neutral atoms using the Rydberg blockade mechanism proposed by Jaksch et al. (2000).

Key Results

  • Controlled-NOT gate via Rydberg blockade between two ⁸⁷Rb atoms in separate FORT traps
  • Gate fidelity ~73% (limited by atomic motion and laser phase noise)
  • Demonstrated truth table for all four input states
  • Gate time ~10 μs
  • First proof-of-principle that Rydberg blockade gates work in practice

Significance

This was the first Rydberg blockade gate ever demonstrated — the experimental realization of the Jaksch et al. 2000 proposal. The modest initial fidelity (~73%) has since been improved to >99.5% through better cooling, laser stabilization, and optimized pulse sequences.

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