Building 3-D atomic structures atom by atom using lasers

A team of researchers at Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in France has developed a technique for arranging cold atoms into useful 3-D arrayed structures. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the group describes their technique and the ways the structures could be useful.

As work toward the development of a functional quantum computer continues, groups of scientists have worked on technologies required for the development of such a machine. One such requirement is the development of atomic structures—if atoms are to serve as qubits, they must be arranged in precise and useful ways that allow for interactions between one another. Most envision such arrangements to consist of 3-D arrayed structures. In this new effort, the researchers report on a technique they have developed to build 3-D atomic structures in arrayed shapes likely to be needed forquantumcomputer applications.