Ultracold atom imaging
By cooling carefully prepared atoms or ions to temperatures nearing the absolute zero, a regime is attained where quantum effects are so relatively important as to visibly affect the atoms. The experimental setup can be controlled precisely to generate lattices of atoms and create or observe specific interactions.
Cold atoms can be used for experimental observations of difficult theoretical problems but also for quantum computing developments. Each atom in the lattice functions as a single qubit – its light emission determining the state 0 or 1 of the qubit. Nüvü’s EMCCDs are an ideal technology to monitor the state of these qubits, as they offer single photon sensitivity in wide field.
Ultra-low light measurements
Single atoms generate very little fluorescence, sometimes with fluxes as low as a few photons per second, and cannot be excited at high power to avoid disturbing the sample and losing the carefully prepared quantum states. Moreover, using exposures down to the few microseconds is necessary for certain measurements, compounding the low signal issue.
Low latency quantum computing loops
In a quantum computer, such as a neutral atom/Rydberg platform, the EMCCD is only one part of the system and must relay information on the states of the qubits as quickly as possible to other components, such as the quantum control system, to enable the swift adjustments necessary for fault-tolerant quantum computing.
The EMCCD is thus part of a loop where the state of the qubits is continuously monitored and adjusted – meaning high frame rates are crucial to computing performance. Nüvü Camēras uniquely offers 30 MHz pixel readout rates on all its models for unmatched imaging speeds and supports multi-output sensors, such as with the HNü 240, which enable faster frames rates even with larger sensors.
Better photon-counting performances
With lower clock-induced charges, the main source of noise in EMCCDs, Nüvü can reach an EM gain of up to 5000, whilst typical EMCCDs are limited to 1000. This higher gain, powered by our patented electronics, is crucial to obtain the best photon-counting performances and allows more genuine photons detected.
These electronics also allow to drive the sensor faster and obtain higher frame rates or to use specific readout modes to reach very low exposure times. Thus, Nüvü will both reach the required imaging rates and have the sensitivity to obtain high quality images in these conditions. More information on photon counting with EMCCDs is available in Nüvü Camēras’ photon counting tutorial here.
Demonstration: Studying quantum gases
Prof. Selim Jochim and Prof. Fred Jendrzejewski at the University of Heidelberg, a leader in quantum physics research, both research quantum gases. Using Nüvü’s HNü 512, with the lowest clock-induced charges on the market and its improved photon counting performance, they have successfully completed their observations of quantum phenomena down to the single atom and paved the way for the future of quantum computing.