We are an experimental research group at the Physics and Astronomy Department at Rice University. We use individual atoms as carriers of information and control precisely their mutual interactions. For more details, please have a look at our research directions!
New Paper on Inner-Shell Transitions in Yb+ ions!
Our new paper on the study on a new metastable state in Yb+ ions is on the arXiv! We discovered a unexpectedly narrow lines connecting the metastable manifold with this previously unexplored bracket state. We use several techniques used in quantum information to prepare and manipulate multiple atomic states and map out all the decay paths of this new state. Check it out!
- Precision Measurement of Lifetime and Branching Ratios of the state 4f13 5d 6s [5/2]_5/2 in Yb+ ions:
New Paper on Trapped-Ion Quantum Simulations of Charge and Exciton Transfer!
Our new paper on the quantum simulation of charge and exciton transfer in a multi-mode vibronic model with tunable dissipation is on the arXiv. This paper encompasses aspects of chemistry, quantum optics, and atomic physics and it paves the way to scale up our approach based on sympathetic cooling to simulate a wide range of phenomena and regimes. Check it out!
- Quantum Simulations of Charge and Exciton Transfer in Multi-mode Models using Engineered Reservoirs:
All you always wanted to know about trapped ions, but you never dared to ask
The Proceedings based on Guido’s Varenna 2024 summer lectures are finally ready. We cover the foundational aspects of trapped ions, from trapping, quantum motion and qubits encoding to quantum logic and analog quantum simulation. We also provide a short review of recent results on how to use trapped-ion systems as an open quantum simulators for chemical dynamics and discuss upcoming challenges on the road to scaling up trapped-ion simulators and computers. Check it out! Comments are welcome!
- Fundamentals of Trapped Ions and Quantum Simulation of Chemical Dynamics:
Guido wins the 2025 Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring Award
Guido wins the 2025 Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring Award of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences. Congratulations to all the 2025 winners!
Visal So wins the Dunlap Award!
Visal So wins the Dunlap Award for his work on quantum simulation of electron transfer models. You can find more details here. Congrats Visal! Well deserved!
Our paper on trapped-ion simulation is published on Science Advances!
Our paper on the simulation of a paradigmatic model of electron transfer in the presence of tunable dissipation is now available on Science Advances. This paper encompasses aspects of chemistry, quantum optics, and atomic physics. Check it out!
- Trapped-Ion Quantum Simulation of Electron Transfer Models with Tunable Dissipation:
- Press release
Our paper on Grover-QAOA applied to SAT problem is published on QST!
We applied a new variant of QAOA (Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm) based on the Grover algorithm (G-QAOA) to satisfiability problems (3-SAT and Max-SAT), relevant to optimization applications. We find that G-QAOA surpasses conventional QAOA in its ability to sample all solutions and shows quadratic speedup. Check it out on Quantum Science and Technology!
- Grover-QAOA for 3-SAT: quadratic speedup, fair-sampling, and parameter clustering,
Zewen Zhang, Roger Paredes, Bhuvanesh Sundar, David Quiroga, Anastasios Kyrillidis, Leonardo Duenas-Osorio, Guido Pagano and Kaden R A Hazzard, Quantum Sci. Technol.,10 015022 (2024)
Our paper on simulating electron transfer with trapped ions is on the arXiv!
We used a multi-species ion chain employing both ground-state and optical qubits to simulate a paradigmatic model of electron transfer in the presence of tunable dissipation. This paper is the result of a very fun interdisciplinary collaboration among the Physics, Chemistry, and Bioscience departments at Rice University. Check it out!
- Trapped-Ion Quantum Simulation of Electron Transfer Models with Tunable Dissipation:
Congrats Abhishek and April!
Abhishek won the Chuoke Award and April got the distinction award Distinction for Undergraduate Research! Congrats to both!
Welcome Caesar, Brian, Lucius and Kabir!
Pagano Lab welcomes a new group of undergraduates that will join the group this summer.
- Caesar (Rice University) will work on a new rectifier scheme used to stabilize the rf voltage that determines trap frequency in the trapped-ion system.
- Brian (San Jacinto College) will design and build a Faraday cage to limit the effect of environmental noise on the trap frequency.
- Lucius (USTC) will design a new filter box and work on a transfer cavity setup for locking our lasers.
- Kabir (Rice University) will work on ArtiQ to make our Rice university branch more user friendly and more integrated with NDscan.
Looking forward for a productive summer!