Quantum network tomography of small Rydberg arrays by machine learning

Configurable arrays of optically trapped Rydberg atoms are a versatile platform for quantum computation and quantum simulation, also allowing controllable decoherence. We demonstrate theoretically that they also enable proof-of-principle demonstrations for a technique to build models for open quantum dynamics using machine learning with artificial neural networks, recently proposed by Mukherjee et al. [Quantum Sci. Technol. 10, 02LT01 (2025)]. Using the outcome of quantum transport through a network of sites that correspond to excited Rydberg atoms, the multistage neural-network algorithm successfully identifies the number of atoms (or nodes in the network) and, subsequently, their location. It further extracts an effective interaction Hamiltonian and decoherence operators induced by the environment. To probe the Rydberg array, one initiates dynamics repeatedly from the same initial state and then measures the transport probability to an output atom. Large datasets are generated by varying the position of the latter. Measurements are required in only one single basis, making the approach complementary to, e.g., quantum process tomography. Due to steeply increasing requirements for training data size, the present implementation appears best suited for networks of just a few sites. The cold-atom platform discussed in this article can be used to explore the performance of the proposed protocol when training the neural network with simulation data but then applying it to construct models based on experimental data.