Lukin, MikhailGrinkemeyer, Brandon2026-01-1520252025-05-192025Grinkemeyer, Brandon. 2025. Photonic Interfaces for Neutral Atom Quantum Computers. Doctoral Dissertation, Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.32042385https://p2p8-sa-zuvru-a9vusux.re-cotta.com/handle/1/42725951As quantum computers advance toward larger, more powerful systems, scaling beyond a single quantum processing unit (QPU) will require the development of fast, high-fidelity interconnections between QPUs. One of the most promising strategies for achieving this is coupling qubits to optical cavities. Strong atom-cavity interactions enable the generation of atom-photon entanglement at rates orders of magnitude faster than alternative approaches, offering a critical advantage for scalable architectures. This thesis investigates the use of nanophotonic and microscale cavities to achieve exceptional atom-photon coupling while maintaining compatibility with state-of-the-art neutral atom QPUs. The experiments presented in this thesis demonstrate coherent transport between a free-space atom array and an optical cavity, coherent Rydberg excitations and interactions in the presence of the cavity interface, fast high-fidelity readout and cavity-mediated operations, and novel fabrication techniques for improved microcavities that further enhance system performance. Together, these advances outline a pathway toward utility-scale quantum computing.application/pdfenCavity QEDNeutral Atom QubitsQuantum ComputingQuantum NetworkingRydberg AtomsPhysicsQuantum physicsApplied physicsThesis or Dissertation2026-01-150000-0002-6337-9447