Columbia Technology Ventures

Metasurface Holographic Optical Traps for Ultracold Atoms

This technology is a platform using metasurface holograms to create optical traps for controlling ultracold atoms with high precision and scalability, applicable in quantum computing and simulation.

Unmet Need: Enhancing precision and scalability in atomic trapping

Traditional methods for trapping ultracold atoms, like optical lattices using acoustic optical diffractors and spatial light modulators, are limited by large device footprints, high power and cooling requirements, and inflexibility in the control of trap geometries. These limitations restrict the potential for precise control and scalability necessary for advanced quantum technology applications. This technology addresses these issues by providing a method to generate and manipulate ultracold atom traps with unprecedented precision and flexibility, which is crucial for advancing quantum computing and simulation technologies.

The Technology: Compact, scalable optical trapping using metasurfaces

This technology employs dielectric, phase-only metasurface holograms to generate and control optical trap arrays for ultracold atoms. Metasurfaces, composed of a 2D array of nanostructured elements, manipulate the amplitude, phase, and polarization of light across the wavefront with subwavelength resolution, enabling the creation of complex, high-density trap geometries. This approach offers significant advantages over traditional methods, including compactness, passive operation, and superior power handling, which facilitate the deployment in field applications and integration into existing setups. Validation testing has demonstrated the technology's capability to create various geometric configurations of trap arrays with high positioning accuracy and uniform intensity, suitable for quantum experiments and applications.

Applications:

  • Quantum simulation and computation platforms
  • Fundamental research in quantum many-body physics
  • Development of portable and field-deployable quantum devices
  • Enhanced precision in quantum metrology, such as atomic clocks
  • Research tool for exploring novel quantum optical phenomena

Advantages:

  • Enables creation of densely spaced, complex trap geometries, not feasible with current technology
  • High precision and uniformity in trap array generation
  • Compact and scalable design suitable for integration into various quantum technology applications
  • Reduced complexity and cost compared to traditional atomic trapping methods
  • Passive operation with good power handling capability, increasing durability and operational lifespan

Lead Inventor:

Nanfang Yu, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Tech Ventures Reference: