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arXiv:1305.3664 · Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical

Quantum operations: technical or fundamental challenge?

Bogdan Mielnik

Published Sep 4, 2013• 6 citations
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Abstract

A class of unitary operations generated by idealized, semiclassical fields is studied. The operations implemented by sharp potential kicks are revisited and the possibility of performing them by softly varying external fields is examined. The possibility of using the ion traps as ‘operation factories’ transforming quantum states is discussed. The non-perturbative algorithms indicate that the results of abstract δ-pulses of oscillator potentials can become real. Some of them, if empirically achieved, could be essential to examine certain atypical quantum ideas. In particular, simple dynamical manipulations might contribute to the Aharonov–Bohm criticism of the time–energy uncertainty principle, while some others may verify the existence of fundamental precision limits of the position measurements or the reality of ‘non-commutative geometries’.

DOI
10.1088/1751-8113/46/38/385301

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A class of unitary operations generated by idealized, semiclassical fields is studied. The operations implemented by sharp potential kicks are revisited and the possibility of performing them by softly varying external fields is examined. The possibility of using the ion traps as ‘operation factories’ transforming quantum states is discussed. The non-perturbative algorithms indicate that the results of abstract δ-pulses of oscillator potentials can become real. Some of them, if empirically achieved, could be essential to examine certain atypical quantum ideas. In particular, simple dynamical manipulations might contribute to the Aharonov–Bohm criticism of the time–energy uncertainty principle, while some others may verify the existence of fundamental precision limits of the position measurements or the reality of ‘non-commutative geometries’.
A class of unitary operations generated by idealized, semiclassical fields is studied. The operations implemented by sharp potential kicks are revisited and the possibility of performing them by softly varying external fields is examined. The possibility of us-ing the ion traps as ’operation factories ’ transforming quantum states is discussed. The non-perturbative algorithms indicate that the results of abstract δ-pulses of oscillator potentials can become real. Some of them, if empirically achieved, could be essential to examine certain atypical quantum ideas. In particular, simple dynamical manipula-tions might contribute to the Aharonov-Bohm criticism of the time-energy uncertainty principle, some other, to verify the existence of fundamental precision limits of the position measurements or the reality of ‘non-commutative geometries’. 1
The unitary evolution operators generated by periodically varying elastic potentials including the Mathieu case are studied. The evolution operations in the stability areas of the Strutt diagram admit effective (Floquet) Hamiltonians generalizing the orthodox oscillators. The points on the separatrices represent two exceptional types of unitary operations, imitating (in a soft way) the results of the sudden δ-like kicks of the elastic potential, or the distorted free evolution (in accelerated, slowed down or even negative time). In all domains the dynamical phenomena illustrate a non-trivial relation between the micro- and macroscopic motion scales.
The dynamical manipulation of physical systems is necessary to explain the structure of physical theories. However, the manipulation techniques in quantum theories progress slowly, giving still no certainty that all theoretically described states and all unitary transformations can be indeed achieved. Below, we report some elements of idealized control of the evolution processes in time dependent quadratic potentials, with attention focused on the abstract δ-pulses of the elastic forces. Some of them, if empirically approximated, could become essential for a sequence of difficult interpretation problems.
The outstanding degree of control over trapped ions in Paul traps gives rise to the development of novel quantum manipulation techniques. Optical transitions can be used for precise manipulation of internal and external states. This way, non-classical states can be created which are a key component of quantum algorithms based on quantum logic operations. This powerful optical toolbox enabled the trapped ion system to assume leadership in the field of quantum computation. This thesis addresses two major challenges in the field of micro ion trap quantum optics. The temperature dependence of the heating rate from the ion trap surface is analysed in a novel cryogenic micro ion trap. Furthermore segmented traps allow state manipulations by time dependent electrical potentials, generated by the control voltages. These electrical fields provide a fast and reliable control handle to the ions external degrees of freedom. Quantum computation in Paul trap arrays is based on a combination of ion crystal transport, splitting and merging operations, while laser driven quantum state manipulations are mainly carried out on small ion crystals. Within this thesis a basic building block was realised by performing transport operations with a single ground-state cooled ion. As a highlight of experimental achievements, shuttling in the non-adiabatic regime, on the timescale of the motional period was demonstrated with low residual energy transfer. For his endeavour a specialised low noise arbitrary function generator was designed and manufactured during this thesis. Arbitrary voltage ramps at a sampling rate of up to 2.5 MS/s on up to 12 channels allow the study of a novel excitation method by directly manipulating the ion using electrical forces. Accurate numerical simulations in combination with the fast high resolution voltage supply allow deterministic quantum manipulations via momentum kicks. I report the first experimental demonstration of displaced number states with trapped ions.
Quantum noise is a fundamental limitation for quantum sensors and results in the so-called shot-noise limit. Nowadays, several systems such as optical clocks or gravitational wave detectors approach measurement sensitivities where this limitation poses a major contribution to the total statistical uncertainty. It is known that this limit can be overcome by preparing the probe in a non-classical state. We will give an overview over the different non-classical states that have been implemented in the motion of single trapped ions and discuss their individual advantages and limitations in metrology. Possible applications for the presented experiments are the measurement of small oscillating electric fields and trapping frequencies. The Focus will be on our experimental work on Fock states, where quantum-enhanced sensing in both scenarios is possible with the same quantum state.
Methods for, and limitations to, the generation of entangled states of trapped atomic ions are examined. As much as possible, state manipulations are described in terms of quantum logic operations since the conditional dynamics implicit in quantum logic is central to the creation of entanglement. Keeping with current interest, some experimental issues in the proposal for trappedion quantum computation by J. I. Cirac and P. Zoller (University of Innsbruck) are discussed. Several possible decoherence mechanisms are examined and what may be the more important of these are identified. Some potential applications for entangled states of trapped-ions which lie outside the immediate realm of quantum computation are also discussed.