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arXiv:2004.08845

Design of a novel monolithic parabolic-mirror ion-trap to precisely align the RF null point with the optical focus

Zhao Wang, Ben-Ran Wang, Qinglin Ma, Guo, Jia-Yu, Ming-Shen Li, Yu Wang, Xinxin Rao, Zhiqi Huang, Le Luo

Published Apr 19, 2020• 6 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We propose a novel ion trap design with the high collection efficiency parabolic-mirror integrated with the ion trap electrodes. This design has three radio frequency (RF) electrodes and eight direct current(DC) compensation electrodes. By carefully adjusting three RF voltages, the parabolic mirror focus can be made precisely coincident with the RF null point. Thus, the aberration and the ion micromotion can be minimized at the same time. This monolithic design can significantly improve the ion-ion entanglement generation speed by extending the photon collecting solid angle beyond $90\%\cdot4π$. Further analysis of the trapping setup shows that the RF voltage variation method relexes machining accuracy to a broad range. This design is expected to be a robust scheme for trapping ion to speed entanglement network node.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2004.08845

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We propose a novel ion trap design with the high collection efficiency parabolic-mirror integrated with the ion trap electrodes. This design has three radio frequency (RF) electrodes and eight direct current(DC) compensation electrodes. By carefully adjusting three RF voltages, the parabolic mirror focus can be made precisely coincident with the RF null point. Thus, the aberration and the ion micromotion can be minimized at the same time. This monolithic design can significantly improve the ion-ion entanglement generation speed by extending the photon collecting solid angle beyond 90%⋅4π90\%\cdot4π90%⋅4π. Further analysis of the trapping setup shows that the RF voltage variation method relexes machining accuracy to a broad range. This design is expected to be a robust scheme for trapping ion to speed entanglement network node.
Efficient fluorescence collection is the most challenging part in remote entangled ion qubit state generation. To address this issue, we developed an ion trap consisting of a reflective parabolic surface and a needle electrode. This parabolic trap design covers a solid angle of 2π steradians and allows precise ion placement at the focal point of the parabola. We measured (39 ± 3)% fluorescence collection from a single ion with this trap and analyzed the mirror optical performance. We observed single ion image spot size of 3.4 times diffraction limit, improved to 2.8 times diffraction limit with the help of an external deformable mirror. The micromotion of the ion is determined to be the limiting factor, and the result is consistent with theoretical calculation.
We improved photon collection efficiency from single trapped ions by integrating a high numerical aperture spherical mirror into a linear Paul trap. Satisfactory single ion images were achieved by compensating the large spherical aberration of the mirror by a specially designed aspheric corrector. We also designed a new RF ion trap with the metallic spherical mirror acting as one of the trap electrodes. This trap will greatly increase the efficiency of ion fluorescence collection for ion-photon and remote ion entanglement.
We report a demonstration of a surface ion trap fabricated directly on a highly reflective mirror surface, which includes a secondary set of radio frequency (RF) electrodes allowing for translation of the quadrupole RF null location. We introduce a position-dependent photon scattering rate for a 174Yb+ ion in the direction perpendicular to the trap surface using a standing wave of retroreflected light off the mirror surface directly below the trap. Using this setup, we demonstrate the capability of fine-tuning the RF trap location with nanometer scale precision and characterize the charging effects of the dielectric mirror surface upon exposure to ultra-violet light.
Trapped, laser-cooled atoms and ions produce intense fluorescence of the order 107~108 photons per second. Detection of this fluorescence enables efficient measurement of the quantum state of qubits based on trapped atoms. It is desirable to collect a large fraction of the photons to make the detection faster and more reliable. Additionally, efficient fluorescence collection can improve the speed and fidelity of remote ion entanglement and quantum gates. Refractive and reflective optics, and optical cavities have all been used to collect the trapped ion fluorescence with up to about 10% efficiency. Here we show a novel ion trap design that incorporates a metallic spherical mirror as the integral part of the trap itself, being its RF electrode. The mirror geometry enables up to 35% solid angle collection of trapped ion fluorescence. The movable central pin electrode of this trap allows precise placement of the ion at the focus of the reflector. We characterize the performance of the mirror, and measure 25% collection efficiency, likely limited by the imperfections of the mirror surface. We also study the properties of the images of single ions formed by the spherical mirror and apply aberration correction with an aspherical element placed outside the vacuum system. Owing to the simplicity of its design, this trap structure can be adapted for microfabrication and integration into more complex trap architectures.
Ion traps serve as the venue for confining ions and exciting ionic transitions in ion optical clocks, where the geometric dimensions of the electrodes within the ion trap directly impact the performance metrics of the ion optical clocks. In this study, the finite element analysis method was employed to simulate the relationship between the electric field distribution and the dimensions of the electrodes in an endcap ion trap. The simulation data were subjected to curve fitting, with trap depth and potential anharmonicity utilized as the primary evaluation criteria for optimizing ion trap design. The results indicate that the ion trap demonstrates optimal performance when the distance between the radio frequency electrodes is reduced to 0.686 mm, and it is suggested that the chamfer width of the endcap electrode extension be 0.6 mm. Based on this, the study further explored the machining accuracy of certain dimensions, concluding that the required high machining accuracy values for the radio frequency electrodes and the endcap electrodes are ±3 and ±7 μm, respectively, while the aperture machining accuracy requirements are ±3 and ±22 μm, respectively. In addition, the simulation results suggest that a conical surface on the radio frequency electrodes with a height of ∼0.08 mm aids in reducing anharmonicity, although a spherical end surface does not notably improve the electric field distribution. These findings provide a valuable reference for the optimized design and machining of ion traps.
Efficient ion-photon interface is critical for ion-photon and ion-ion entanglement generation, which are the fundamental building blocks for loophole-free Bell inequality violation tests based on ion qubits, and for the quantum computer architecture based on ion-photon networks. As one approach to address the problem, the feasibility of integrating reflective optics into ion trap to increase free-space photon interception is studied. The development and operation of two novel ion traps are demonstrated: one integrates a spherical mirror with a linear quadrapole trap, and the other combines the optical surface with the RF electrode. The possibility of using aspherical optics to improve ion images is studied and partially implemented. A continuously excited single photon source based on 138Ba+ ion is demonstrated and calibrated. Methods of scaling up current design are also discussed.