Controlling Strings of Single Trapped Atoms

We control and manipulate strings of neutral atoms, trapped inside a standing wave dipole trap. We show that such a string realizes a quantum register, where coherent information is encoded in the atomic hyperfine states using microwave transitions. Furthermore, using high resolution imaging optics, we measure the absolute and relative positions of the atoms with a sub-optical wavelength resolution. The overall position of the string is then actively controlled with an optical conveyor belt. Finally, by extracting and reinserting atoms at predetermined positions with a second, perpendicular dipole trap, we aim to control the interatomic distances, prepare equidistant strings, and rearrange their order.