Technologies for trapped-ion quantum information systems

Abstract

Scaling up from prototype systems to dense arrays of ions on chip, or vast networks of ions connected by photonic channels, will require developing entirely new technologies that combine miniaturized ion trapping systems with devices to capture, transmit, and detect light, while refining how ions are confined and controlled. Building a cohesive ion system from such diverse parts involves many challenges, including navigating materials incompatibilities and undesired coupling between elements. Here, we review our recent efforts to create scalable ion systems incorporating unconventional materials such as graphene and indium tin oxide, integrating devices like optical fibers and mirrors, and exploring alternative ion loading and trapping techniques.

Fifteen years of cold matter on the atom chip: promise, realizations, and prospects

“…Trapped ions are advantageous for QIP because of their long lifetimes, long coherence times relative to gate times, strong inter-ion interactions, high reproducibility and efficient detection [ 82 , 137 ]. Ideally, the motional modes for ions in a multi-ion trap can be laser-cooled to the ground state of their motion, thereby providing a well-defined initial quantum state.…”

Electric-field noise from thermally activated fluctuators in a surface ion trap

“…For trapped ions, electric-field noise manifests as decoherence of the motional modes, which are generally relied on to entangle ions in the same trapping potential. It is one of the main obstacles to realizing a large-scale ion-trap quantum processor [9]. A better understanding is not only important for the fabrication of low-noise quantum devices, but may also answer fundamental questions about the physics of noise at surfaces, such as the dynamics of defects and adsorbates.…”

Quantum Pattern Recognition in Photonic Circuits

“…Quantum information can be encoded, decoded, and manipulated in a variety of physical systems like, for example, photonic systems [19], solid state devices [20], trapped ions [21,22], and superconducting architectures [23,24]. Photonic platforms present several advantages for quantum information protocols, as long coherence times and full connectivity, allowing long-distance quantum communication and quantum key distribution, among many other achievements [25][26][27].…”