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arXiv:2512.11794

A Room-Temperature Extreme High Vacuum System for Trapped-Ion Quantum Information Processing

Lewis Hahn, Nikhil Kotibhaskar, Fabien Lefebvre, Sakshee Patil, Sainath Motlakunta, Mahmood Sabooni, Rajibul Islam

quant-phSubmitted Dec 12, 2025• Announced Dec 15, 2025• 0 citations• Revised Jul 17, 2026 (v2)
v1 · Dec 12, 2025v2 · Jul 17, 2026
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Abstract

We present a room-temperature Extreme High Vacuum (XHV) system engineered to support the long-duration operation of a trapped-ion quantum processor. Background-gas collisions impose limitations on trapped-ion performance and scalability by interrupting algorithmic execution and, in some cases, ejecting ions from the trap. Using molecular-flow simulations, we optimize the chamber geometry, conductance pathways, and pumping configuration to maximize the effective pumping speed at the ion location. We perform high-temperature heat treatment of stainless steel vacuum components to achieve the desired outgassing rate, guided by quantitative relations of bulk diffusive processes, allowing us to reduce the $\mathrm{H_2}$ outgassing load to the $10^{-15}\,\mathrm{mbar\,l\,s^{-1}\,cm^{-2}}$ level. The final pressure in our chamber, measured by a hot cathode gauge, is $1.5\times10^{-12}\,\mathrm{mbar}$, corresponding to the gauge's measurement limit. We measure the local pressure at the ion location by observing collision-induced reordering events in a long ion chain of mixed-isotope Yb$^+$. From the observed reordering frequency, we extract the average interval between collisions to be $(1.9 \pm 0.1)\,\mathrm{hrs/ion}$. This corresponds to a local pressure of $(3.9 \pm 0.3)\times10^{-12}\,\mathrm{mbar}$ at the ion location, assuming that all collisions arise from background H$_2$ molecules at room temperature. Our demonstration extends the continuous operation time of a quantum processor while maintaining the simplicity of a room-temperature system that does not require cryogenic apparatus.

Comments
Updates to histogram (Fig. 4e.) and to distribution governing the probability of reorder (Eqn. 10). Updates to references

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Trapped-ion systems are among the most promising hardware candidates for large scale quantum computing and quantum simulation. In order to scale up such devices, it is necessary to engineer extreme-high vacuum (XHV) environments to prevent background gas from disrupting the ion crystal. Here we present a new cryogenic ion trapping system designed for long time storage of large ion chains. Our apparatus is based on a segmented-blade ion trap enclosed in a 4 K cryostat, which enables us to routinely trap and hold over 100 171 Yb + ions for hours in a linear configuration, due to low background gas pressure from differential cryo-pumping. We characterize the XHV cryogenic environment measuring pressures below by recording both inelastic and elastic collisions between the ion chain and the molecular background gas. We also demonstrate coherent one and two-qubit operations and nearly equidistant ion spacing for chains of up to 44 ions using anharmonic axial potentials, in order to enable better detection and single ion addressing in large ion arrays. We anticipate that this reliable production and lifetime enhancement of large linear ion chains will enable quantum simulation of models that are intractable with classical computer modeling.
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Abstract We demonstrate the precise in situ measurement of extreme-high vacuum (XHV) in a cryogenic linear Paul trap operating at 5.7 K, utilizing laser-cooled Be + Coulomb crystals as dual-mode quantum probes. Two independent methods, elastic collision rate monitoring and reaction rate analysis, were employed to determine the vacuum level within the cryogenic linear Paul trap. Based on the collision rate of a single trapped beryllium ion with background gas, which was measured as 1.3(7) × 10 −4 Hz, the pressure under cryogenic conditions was calculated to be 6.0(3.4) × 10 −12 Pa. Alternatively, by leveraging the reaction rate of Be + ions with background gases, a pressure of 8.4(1) × 10 −12 Pa was obtained. The mutual agreement between these two methods validates the reliability of cold-atom-based vacuum metrology at the 10 −12 Pa scale, successfully overcoming the detection limits of conventional vacuum gauges. This approach, which capitalizes on the unique mass properties and photostability of Be + ions, fills a critical gap in XHV metrology and paves the way for the development of chip-trap-integrated in situ vacuum sensing technologies.
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The lifetime of trapped ion ensembles corresponds to a crucial parameter determining the potential scalability of their prospective applications and is often limited by the achievable vacuum level in the apparatus. We report on the realization of a room-temperature 40Ca+ ion trapping vacuum apparatus with unprecedentedly low reaction rates of ions with a dominant vacuum contaminant: hydrogen. We present our trap assembly procedures and hydrogen pressure characterization by analysis of the CaH+ molecule formation rate.
The trapped ions platform represents an excellent framework for Quantum information science experiments. Long coherence times, extremely high state initialization and detection fidelity, inherent full-connectivity between qubits are some features that make trapped ions the ideal qubits. It is the same features that make this platform extremely suitable for quantum simulation of various physical phenomenon, particularly quantum spin models. In this thesis, I present the design and construction of an ion trapping apparatus for quantum simulation experiments. This apparatus is operational and is used for the trapping of ionized Yb atoms. The 6 electrodes of the trap, two of which are needle electrodes, are made out of tungsten. I discuss the unique technique we use to make tungsten needle electrodes. The design, construction, and testing of the Yb source, used to produce a thermal beam of Yb atoms, is also discussed. The apparatus discussed above needs to be housed inside an ultra-high vacuum environment to keep the ions free from background collisions. I have discussed the design and construction of the vacuum system. In the end, I have provided a brief overview of the system in the lab and presented results in the form of pictures of single and multiple trapped ions.