An atomic boson sampler

Understand

A boson sampler implements a restricted model of quantum computing.

• It is defined by the ability to sample from the distribution resulting from the interference of identical bosons propagating according to programmable, non-interacting dynamics.
• Here, we demonstrate a new combination of tools for implementing boson sampling using ultracold atoms in a two-dimensional, tunnel-coupled optical lattice.
• These tools include fast and programmable preparation of large ensembles of nearly identical bosonic atoms ($99.5^{+0.5}_{-1.6}\;\%$ indistinguishability) by means of rearrangement with optical tweezers and high-fidelity optical cooling, propagation for variable evolution time in the lattice with low loss ($5.0(2)\;\%$, independent of evolution time), and high fidelity detection of the atom positions after their evolution (typically $99.8(1)\;\%$).