Undergraduate Researcher for credit - Rydberg atoms in optical lattices

Dr. Turker Topcu at the Mathematics Department is looking for an undergraduate researcher for credit who will work on simulating time-dependent dynamics of Rydberg atoms trapped in optical lattices. Specifically, we will study multiphoton excitations between Ry states of opposite-field seeking character in optical lattices with wavelengths ranging from infrared to the microwave region. Multiphoton transitions between Ry states can be well simulated using classical physics, and we will focus on the classical phase space picture of the excitation dynamics by numerically solving the classical equations of motion. The PI will provide existing codes, however, the student will need to modify some parts of the code as directed by the PI. These codes will help us investigate the non-perturbative dynamics of Ry atoms in an optical lattice which can provide insight into how such processes can be used to improve quantum gate protocols in quantum information processing using neutral cold atoms.

This is a computational project, and the prospective student should have some experience in C/C++ programming. Previous exposure to classical/quantum mechanics is helpful but not critically essential.