Non-equilibrium dynamics of long-range interacting quantum systems and theirapplications to quantum metrology - theory

01/09/2022 to 31/08/2026

The project aims to study various non-equilibrium states in dynamically driven, long-range interacting quantum systems and to explore their usefulness for quantum metrology. Theoretically,we will study adiabatic and non-adiabatic (quenched) dynamics of the interacting many-body systems and examine their utility for increasing the sensitivity of measurements of external parameters, such as electromagnetic fields. We will elucidate the role of underlying phase-space structures for the sensitivity and develop and implement quantum algorithms for simulating open complex quantum systems. Experimentally, we will employ two-dimensional clouds of cold trapped atoms coupled by resonant lasers to the highly excited Rydberg states in strong electric fields. Small and fast changes of the control electric field permit dynamical tuning of the corresponding dipole-dipole interaction strength.This enables the realization of different kinds of dynamical driving schemes and tuning the relaxation and ionisation rates. Using an ion microscope with high spatio-temporal resolution, we will perform precise measurements of the spatial and temporal dynamics and correlations in this driven interacting quantum system. Proof of principle experiments for measuring the electric field with sensitivity better than the standard quantum limit will be performed using long-range interacting Rydberg atoms.