© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

Terms Privacy Legal Notice

arXiv:1904.04178 · Applied Physics Reviews

Trapped-ion quantum computing: Progress and challenges

Colin Bruzewicz, John Chiaverini, Robert McConnell, Jeremy Sage

Published May 29, 2019• 1,478 citations

Abstract

Trapped ions are among the most promising systems for practical quantum computing (QC). The basic requirements for universal QC have all been demonstrated with ions, and quantum algorithms using few-ion-qubit systems have been implemented. We review the state of the field, covering the basics of how trapped ions are used for QC and their strengths and limitations as qubits. In addition, we discuss what is being done, and what may be required, to increase the scale of trapped ion quantum computers while mitigating decoherence and control errors. Finally, we explore the outlook for trapped-ion QC. In particular, we discuss near-term applications, considerations impacting the design of future systems of trapped ions, and experiments and demonstrations that may further inform these considerations.

DOI: 10.1063/1.5088164

Related papers

Review of Recent Laser Technology of Development Multi Qubit Gates Using Ion Trap Method

Abdulkader H. Atiya, Mohammed Al-Temimi

The qubit technology using Trapped ions are taking the systems for practical quantum computing (QC). The normal requirements to achieve quantum supremacy have all been studied with ions, and quantum algorithms use ion-qubit systems have been implemented. I cover in this study many points regarding the concept of Qubit through Ion Trap, near application, and experiments also explore the Multi gates, Hybrid gates implementations

Applied Mechanics and Materials•Aug 18, 2023•0 citations

Quantum information processing and metrology with trapped ions

D. J. Wineland, Dietrich G. Leibfried

The use of trapped atomic ions in the field of quantum information processing is briefly reviewed. We summarize the basic mechanisms required for logic gates and the use of the gates in demonstrating simple algorithms. We discuss the potential of trapped ions to reach fault-tolerant error levels in a large-scale system, and highlight some of the problems that will be faced in achieving this goal. Possible near-term applications in applied and basic science, such as in metrology and quantum simulation, are briefly discussed.

Laser Physics Letters•Jan 25, 2011•98 citations

Research progress of ion trap quantum computing

Yukai Wu, Luming Duan

Ion trap is one of the leading physical platforms to implement quantum computation. Currently, high-fidelity elementary quantum operations above the fault-tolerant threshold, including state preparation, measurement and universal gates, have been demonstrated for tens of ionic qubits. One important future research direction is to further enlarge the qubit number to the scale required for solving practical problems while maintaining the high performance of individual qubits. This paper introduces the current mainstream schemes for scalable ion trap quantum computation like quantum charge-coupled device (QCCD) and ion-photon quantum network, and describes the main limiting factors in current research. Then we further explore new schemes to scale up the qubit number like two-dimensional ion crystals and dual-type qubit, and discuss the future research directions.

Acta Physica Sinica•Jan 1, 2023•7 citations

Quantum computing with trapped ions

Hartmut Häffner

Quantum computers hold the promise to solve certain computational task much more efficiently than classical computers. We review the recent experimental advancements towards a quantum computer with trapped ions. In particular, various implementations of qubits, quantum gates and some key experiments are discussed. Furthermore, we review some implementations of quantum algorithms such as a deterministic teleportation of quantum information and an error correction scheme.

Journal of the Indian Institute of Science•Dec 14, 2012•0 citations

Quantum information processing and quantum control with trapped atomic ions

David J. Wineland

The role of trapped atomic ions in the field of quantum information processing is briefly reviewed. We discuss some of the historical developments that enabled ions to enter the field and then summarize the basic mechanisms required for logic gates and the use of the gates in demonstrating simple algorithms. We describe potential pathways to reach fault-tolerant error levels and large-scale devices, and highlight some of the main problems that will be faced in achieving these goals. Possible near-term applications in applied and basic science, such as in metrology and quantum simulation, are discussed.

Physica Scripta•Dec 1, 2009•24 citations

Trapped Atomic Ions and Quantum Information Processing

David J. Wineland, Dietrich G. Leibfried, Jonas Bergquist +19 more

The basic requirements for quantum computing and quantum simulation (single‐ and multi‐qubit gates, long memory times, etc.) have been demonstrated in separate experiments on trapped ions. Construction of a large‐scale information processor will require synthesis of these elements and implementation of high‐fidelity operations on a very large number of qubits. This is still well in the future. NIST and other groups are addressing part of the scaling issue by trying to fabricate multi‐zone arrays of traps that would allow highly‐parallel and scalable processing. In the near term, some simple quantum processing protocols are being used to aid in quantum metrology, such as in atomic clocks. As the number of qubits increases, Schrödinger’s cat paradox and the measurement problem in quantum mechanics become more apparent; with luck, trapped ion systems might be able to shed light on these fundamental issues.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 2006•1 citation

Trapped ions are among the most promising systems for practical quantum computing (QC). The basic requirements for universal QC have all been demonstrated with ions, and quantum algorithms using few-ion-qubit systems have been implemented. We review the state of the field, covering the basics of how trapped ions are used for QC and their strengths and limitations as qubits. In addition, we discuss what is being done, and what may be required, to increase the scale of trapped ion quantum computers while mitigating decoherence and control errors. Finally, we explore the outlook for trapped-ion QC. In particular, we discuss near-term applications, considerations impacting the design of future systems of trapped ions, and experiments and demonstrations that may further inform these considerations.

The use of trapped atomic ions in the field of quantum information processing is briefly reviewed. We summarize the basic mechanisms required for logic gates and the use of the gates in demonstrating simple algorithms. We discuss the potential of trapped ions to reach fault-tolerant error levels in a large-scale system, and highlight some of the problems that will be faced in achieving this goal. Possible near-term applications in applied and basic science, such as in metrology and quantum simulation, are briefly discussed.

Ion trap is one of the leading physical platforms to implement quantum computation. Currently, high-fidelity elementary quantum operations above the fault-tolerant threshold, including state preparation, measurement and universal gates, have been demonstrated for tens of ionic qubits. One important future research direction is to further enlarge the qubit number to the scale required for solving practical problems while maintaining the high performance of individual qubits. This paper introduces the current mainstream schemes for scalable ion trap quantum computation like quantum charge-coupled device (QCCD) and ion-photon quantum network, and describes the main limiting factors in current research. Then we further explore new schemes to scale up the qubit number like two-dimensional ion crystals and dual-type qubit, and discuss the future research directions.

The role of trapped atomic ions in the field of quantum information processing is briefly reviewed. We discuss some of the historical developments that enabled ions to enter the field and then summarize the basic mechanisms required for logic gates and the use of the gates in demonstrating simple algorithms. We describe potential pathways to reach fault-tolerant error levels and large-scale devices, and highlight some of the main problems that will be faced in achieving these goals. Possible near-term applications in applied and basic science, such as in metrology and quantum simulation, are discussed.

The basic requirements for quantum computing and quantum simulation (single‐ and multi‐qubit gates, long memory times, etc.) have been demonstrated in separate experiments on trapped ions. Construction of a large‐scale information processor will require synthesis of these elements and implementation of high‐fidelity operations on a very large number of qubits. This is still well in the future. NIST and other groups are addressing part of the scaling issue by trying to fabricate multi‐zone arrays of traps that would allow highly‐parallel and scalable processing. In the near term, some simple quantum processing protocols are being used to aid in quantum metrology, such as in atomic clocks. As the number of qubits increases, Schrödinger’s cat paradox and the measurement problem in quantum mechanics become more apparent; with luck, trapped ion systems might be able to shed light on these fundamental issues.