Zoe Yan, Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago, will be presenting "Quantum correlations in a many-body system of polar molecules" as part of the Quantum Research Institute's Special Quantum Seminar series from 3pm - 4pm in the EECS Building, room 3316. A Zoom option is also provided.
Seminar Description:
Ultracold molecules have promising applications in the fields of quantum computing and simulation of many-body systems. Central to these applications is the ability to detect and manipulate the quantum state of individual molecules. I will describe the development of a novel apparatus for imaging single diatomic molecules in an ultracold gas prepared in the ground electronic, rovibrational and hyperfine state, performed at Princeton University. We used this capability to measure quantum correlations due to the bosonic statistics of the molecules or due to entanglement mediated by dipolar interactions. As an example of a potential application, I will discuss our study of out-of-equilibrium dynamics in tunable quantum spin models and measurements of the evolution of spatial correlations during the ensuing thermalization process.
Looking ahead, I will describe efforts for next-generation molecular gas experiments at the University of Chicago involving potassium-silver molecules. These 'ultrapolar' molecules are capable of dipolar-mediated entanglement approaching MHz level speeds, presenting interesting opportunities for quantum simulation and information.