Abstract. We propose a method for the fast generation of a quantum register of addressable qubits consisting of ultracold atoms stored in an optical lattice. Starting with a half filled lattice we remove every second lattice barrier by adiabatically switching on a superlattice potential which leads to a long wavelength lattice in the Mott insulator state with unit filling. The larger periodicity of the resulting lattice could make individual addressing of the atoms via an external laser feasible. We develop a Bose-Hubbard-like model for describing the dynamics of cold atoms in a lattice when doubling the lattice periodicity via the addition of a superlattice potential. The dynamics of the transition from a half filled to a commensurately filled lattice is analysed numerically with the help of the time evolving block decimation algorithm and analytically using the Kibble–Zurek theory. We show that the timescale for the whole process, i.e. creating the half filled lattice and subsequent doubling of the lattice periodicity, is significantly faster than adiabatic direct quantum-freezing of a superfluid into a Mott insulator for large lattice periods. Our method therefore provides a high-fidelity quantum register of addressable qubits on a fast timescale.

Received 27 February 2007
Published 10 July 2007