Ultracold molecules are being turned into the building blocks of a quantum computer. The researchers aim to control how these molecules collide and interact, trap them in grids of light, and engineer quantum gates between individual molecules held in optical tweezers. Most quantum technology platforms—trapped ions, superconducting circuits, photons—have been under development for years. Ultracold molecules are newcomers, but they offer advantages: a rich internal structure of vibration and rotation, long-range dipole-dipole interactions, and strong coupling to electric and microwave fields. The challenge is that no one has yet learned to control these molecules precisely enough to build a working device. If the collaboration succeeds, it could establish ultracold molecules as a competitive platform for quantum computing and quantum simulation—systems that model problems classical computers cannot solve. This is fundamental science. There is no immediate practical application. But past work on ultracold atoms and molecules has already led to advances in atomic clocks, sensors, and fundamental physics tests. A deeper understanding of molecular quantum control could eventually underpin secure communications, enhanced sensors, or new methods of computation.
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Quantum Technologies promise to harness the power of quantum mechanics to deliver a new generation of devices whose performance surpasses what is possible with conventional technology. We can expect Quantum Technologies to deliver more powerful methods of computation, completely secure communication, enhanced metrology and sensors with unparalleled sensitivity. Accordingly, the development of Quantum Technologies has attracted substantial investments from national funding agencies worldwide, including in the UK and USA, as well as significant private investment in numerous start-up companies. Many Quantum Technology platforms are being developed, including trapped ions, ultracold atoms, superconducting devices and photons, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Compared to these more established technologies, ultracold molecules are new to the arena. And yet molecules have many advantages stemming from their rich internal structure of vibration and rotation, long-range dipole-dipole interactions and strong coupling to applied electric and microwave fields. The goal of this proposal is to establish an international collaboration focused on overcoming the scientific and technical challenges that lie between our current experimental platforms and the realisation of molecular Quantum Technologies. Our collaboration involves researchers from Durham University, Imperial College, Oxford University, Harvard University and JILA at the University of Colorado. Our team consists of 10 world-leading investigators, all of whom are embedded in internationally recognised centres of excellence for atomic, molecular and optical physics research. Each investigator brings complementary expertise spanning the experimental and theoretical methods needed to realise our vision. Over the last decade, we have all individually contributed to the transformation of the field of ultracold molecules. We have learned how to produce a wide range of molecular species at ultracold temperatures - the key first step necessary to reveal and access the quantum behaviour of molecules. Subsequently, we have learned to trap, manipulate and control individual molecules at the quantum level. With our molecules now under control and a wave of second-generation experimental platforms coming online, we are on the cusp of a new era for ultracold molecule research. Now is therefore the perfect time for us to join forces and coordinate our research effort in this flourishing field towards Quantum Technology. Our specific research programme is organised around three major, inter-related goals. Firstly, we will learn to control molecule-molecule and atom-molecule collisions and interactions, enabling us to further cool our molecules deep into the quantum regime. Secondly, with our control of molecule-molecule interactions, we will create many-body quantum states of molecules in optical lattices suitable for quantum simulation of systems that are difficult to model on a classical device. Finally, we will learn how to engineer high-fidelity quantum gates between molecules held in optical tweezers - the essential building block of a molecule-based quantum computer. Successful delivery of these ambitious research goals will establish ultracold molecules as a competitive Quantum Technology and will enhance the UK's leadership in this strategically important area.
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