  We investigate the use of integrated, microfabricated photonic-atomic
junctions for quantum information processing applications. The coupling between
atoms and light is enhanced by using microscopic optics without the need for
cavity enhancement. Qubits that are collectively encoded in hyperfine states of
small ensembles of optically trapped atoms, coupled via the Rydberg blockade
mechanism, seem a particularly promising implementation. Fast and high-fidelity
gate operations, efficient readout, long coherence times and large numbers of
qubits are all possible.
