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arXiv:0902.0456 · Physical Review Letters

Deterministic Ultracold Ion Source Targeting the Heisenberg Limit

Wolfgang Schnitzler, Norbert M. Linke, Robert Fickler, Jan Meijer, Ferdinand Schmidt‐Kaler, Kilian Singer

Published Feb 19, 2009• 73 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The major challenges to fabricate quantum processors and future nano-solid-state devices are material modification techniques with nanometer resolution and suppression of statistical fluctuations of dopants or qubit carriers. Based on a segmented ion trap with mK laser-cooled ions we have realized a deterministic single-ion source which could operate with a huge range of sympathetically cooled ion species, isotopes or ionic molecules. We have deterministically extracted a predetermined number of ions on demand and have measured a longitudinal velocity uncertainty of 6.3 m/s and a spatial beam divergence of 600 microrad. We show in numerical simulations that if the ions are cooled to the motional ground state (Heisenberg limit) nanometer spatial resolution can be achieved.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.102.070501

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The major challenges to fabricate quantum processors and future nano-solid-state devices are material modification techniques with nanometer resolution and suppression of statistical fluctuations of dopants or qubit carriers. Based on a segmented ion trap with mK laser-cooled ions we have realized a deterministic single-ion source which could operate with a huge range of sympathetically cooled ion species, isotopes or ionic molecules. We have deterministically extracted a predetermined number of ions on demand and have measured a longitudinal velocity uncertainty of 6.3 m/s and a spatial beam divergence of 600 microrad. We show in numerical simulations that if the ions are cooled to the motional ground state (Heisenberg limit) nanometer spatial resolution can be achieved.
Using a segmented ion trap with mK laser-cooled ions we have realised a novel single ion source which can deterministically deliver a wide range of ion species, isotopes or ionic molecules [Schnitzler et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2009, 102, 070501]. Experimental data is discussed in detail and compared with numerical simulations of ion trajectories. For the novel ion source we numerically investigate the influence of various extraction parameters on fluctuations in velocity and position of the beam. We present specialised ion optics and show from numerical simulations that a nm spatial resolution is achievable. The Paul trap, which is used as a single ion source, together with the presented ion optics, constitutes a promising candidate for a deterministic ion implantation method for applications in solid state quantum computing or classical nano-electronic devices.
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Deterministic ion implantation and color-center creation methods at the nanometer scale provide a route towards scalable quantum information processing. For this purpose, we have developed an inherently deterministic single-ion implantation method based on a linear Paul trap (LPT) as a single-ion source since the laser-cooling technique can be applied to the trap system to obtain ultralow-emittance ions and manipulate single ions one by one . Doubly charged nitrogen ions (N2+) produced in a sputter ion source is introduced into the LPT and sympathetically cooled with laser-cooled calcium ions (Ca+). Both the sputter ion source and the LPT chamber are elevated to +50kV for the 100keV-implantation of doubly charged single ions into a grounded diamond crystal.
The authors describe a new method for creating a high quality focused ion beam using laser-cooled neutral atoms in a magneto-optical trap as an ion source. They show that this new technique can provide spot resolutions and brightness values that are better than the state of the art in focused ion beams. The source can be used with a range of different ionic species and can be combined with laser cooling techniques to exert unprecedented control over the ion emission, for example, producing single ions “on demand.” The beam quality is a result of a high brightness and a narrow energy distribution, both of which stem from the cold temperature (≈100μK) of the atoms. The ions are produced by subjecting the cold neutral atoms to a photoionization laser, after which they become a compact source of nearly monoenergetic ions. With the application of a potential gradient, the ions form a beam that can be focused via standard ion optical techniques. They discuss estimations based on the initial size of the ion cloud and the energy distribution and show that the resulting beam has a low emittance.
A basic performance test of a novel ion source is carried out to attain an extremely narrow beam for pinpoint irradiation of single ions onto an intended target. In principle, the normalized root-mean-squared emittance of the beam can reach a sub-femtometer level, which makes a transverse spot size of nanometer order available. The system is based on a compact linear Paul trap equipped with a Doppler-cooling device. The trap is the most popular, economical type consisting simply of a few metal plates and rods. Among several possible choices of ion species, we picked Ca 40 + for the present investigation. A small number of Ca 40 + ions are first laser cooled to near absolute zero where they form a spatially ordered configuration called a . The axial-potential well provided by dc bias voltages on two planar electrodes is then deformed gradually to eject the ions from the trap along the design orbit. We demonstrate that it is possible to launch the ultracold ions one by one at arbitrary timing with no serious radio-frequency heating. These ions are accelerated to 1 keV immediately after the extraction. The effectiveness of a few different ion-ejection schemes is experimentally verified and supported by three-dimensional molecular dynamics simulations.