Taming atomic giants: Developing Quantum Technologies via quantum control

of cold Rydberg atoms

Sanjukta Roy

Light and Matter Physics Group, Raman Research Institute, Bangalore

Atoms excited to Rydberg states with high principal quantum numbers have exaggerated properties such as large size, strong dipole-dipole interaction, large values of polarizability and longer lifetimes compared to atoms in their ground state. These exotic characteristics and a high degree of controllability make ultra-cold Rydberg atoms versatile atomic building blocks for various quantum technologies such as scalable quantum information networks, precision electrometry, and a single-photon source for secure quantum communications. In this talk, I will give an overview of Quantum Technologies with Rydberg atoms and present our recent experimental observations on Quantum sensing via Doppler-enhanced Quantum magnetometry using thermal Rydberg atoms. We have performed detailed theoretical modelling with excellent agreement with our experimental results. I will also present our measurements on Rydberg excitation dynamics in cold atoms towards investigating the Quantum criticality of Rydberg atoms in lower dimensions arising due to strong dipole-dipole interactions. Finally, I will give future perspectives on Quantum Networking and Quantum Sensing with ultra-cold Rydberg atoms.