Quantum Control: Caltech Physicists Use Atomic Motion to Boost Entanglement & Computing
Researchers at Caltech, led by Professor Manuel Endres, have developed a new technique to encode and control quantum information by manipulating the motion of individual atoms trapped with optical tweezers—laser-based tools that precisely handle atoms. The team cooled neutral alkaline-earth atoms nearly to a standstill and induced controlled oscillations, creating hyper-entanglement where both the motion and internal electronic states of atom pairs are intertwined. Published in Science, this marks the first observation of hyper-entanglement in massive particles and introduces a promising method to improve quantum information storage and processing. This breakthrough could significantly advance quantum computing and precision measurement technologies. The work was supported by several US federal agencies and international fellowships.

Figure 1. Quantum Control: Caltech Physicists Use Atomic Motion to Boost Entanglement & Computing
Researchers have achieved precise control over atomic motion, moving beyond basic confinement to create superposition states where atoms oscillate in multiple modes simultaneously—key for quantum information processing. This progress relies on a new method called ‘erasure cooling,’ which improves on traditional laser cooling by actively correcting atomic motion to produce well-defined quantum states. By cooling atoms to near complete stillness before inducing controlled oscillations, the team established optimal conditions for preserving quantum coherence and enabling advanced quantum operations. Figure 1 shows Quantum Control: Caltech Physicists Use Atomic Motion to Boost Entanglement & Computing.
This innovative method enables scientists to generate correlated motion states over micrometer distances, laying the groundwork for entanglement and allowing the simultaneous exploration of multiple computational pathways. The team accomplishes this by continuously monitoring atomic velocities and applying precise corrective actions to substantially reduce thermal excitations. Using atoms as qubits—the quantum counterparts of classical bits—provides key benefits, including longer coherence times and the capacity to perform complex quantum gates, reinforcing their promise as foundational elements for next-generation quantum technologies.
‘Erasure cooling’ marks a significant shift from traditional laser cooling methods by actively correcting atomic motion to achieve unprecedented precision control [1]. Inspired by the concept of Maxwell’s demon, this technique continuously measures individual atomic velocities and applies precise corrective actions, leading to a major decrease in thermal excitation.
References:
- https://quantumzeitgeist.com/quantum-control-caltech-physicists-harness-atomic-motion-for-enhanced-entanglement-computing/
Cite this article:
Janani R (2025), Quantum Control: Caltech Physicists Use Atomic Motion to Boost Entanglement & Computing, AnaTechMaz, pp.268