Abstract Trapped-ion quantum technologies have been developed for decades toward applications such as precision measurement, quantum communication and quantum computation. Coherent manipulation of ions’ oscillatory motions in an ion trap is important for quantum information processing by ions, however, unwanted decoherence caused by fluctuating electric-field environment often hinders stable and high-fidelity operations. One way to avoid this is to adopt pulsed laser ablation for ion loading, a loading method with significantly reduced pollution and heat production. Despite the usefulness of the ablation loading such as the compatibility with cryogenic environment, randomness of the number of loaded ions is still problematic in realistic applications where definite number of ions are preferably loaded with high probability. In this paper, we demonstrate an efficient loading of a single strontium ion into a surface electrode trap generated by laser ablation and successive photoionization. The probability of single-ion loading into a surface electrode trap is measured to be 82%, and such a deterministic single-ion loading allows for loading ions into the trap one-by-one. Our results open up a way to develop more functional ion-trap quantum devices by the clean, stable, and deterministic ion loading.Abstract Trapped-ion quantum technologies have been developed for decades toward applications such as precision measurement, quantum communication and quantum computation. Coherent manipulation of ions’ oscillatory motions in an ion trap is important for quantum information processing by ions, however, unwanted decoherence caused by fluctuating electric-field environment often hinders stable and high-fidelity operations. One way to avoid this is to adopt pulsed laser ablation for ion loading, a loading method with significantly reduced pollution and heat production. Despite the usefulness of the ablation loading such as the compatibility with cryogenic environment, randomness of the number of loaded ions is still problematic in realistic applications where definite number of ions are preferably loaded with high probability. In this paper, we demonstrate an efficient loading of a single strontium ion into a surface electrode trap generated by laser ablation and successive photoionization. The probability of single-ion loading into a surface electrode trap is measured to be 82%, and such a deterministic single-ion loading allows for loading ions into the trap one-by-one. Our results open up a way to develop more functional ion-trap quantum devices by the clean, stable, and deterministic ion loading.

arXiv:2109.04965Journal of Physics CommunicationsJan 1, 20227 citations

Principles of Ion Traps

Günther Werth

Lecture notes in physicsJan 1, 20085 citations

Increase of the barium ion-trap lifetime via photodissociation

Hao Wu, Michael Mills, Elizabeth P. West +2 more

The lifetime of ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}$ ions confined in a Paul trap is found, under typical conditions, to be limited by chemical reactions with residual background gas. An integrated ion-trap and time-of-flight mass spectrometer are used to analyze the reactions of the trapped ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}$ ions with three common gases in an ultrahigh vacuum system ( ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ , ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ , and ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ ). It is found that the products of these reactions can all be photodissociated by a single ultraviolet laser at 225 nm, thereby allowing the recovery of the ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}$ ions and leading to an increase of the effective trap lifetime. For a Coulomb crystal, the lifetime increased from roughly 6 h to 2 days at room temperature. It is suggested that higher enhancement factors are possible in systems with stronger traps. In addition, photodissociation wavelengths for other common trapped-ion systems are provided.The lifetime of ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}$ ions confined in a Paul trap is found, under typical conditions, to be limited by chemical reactions with residual background gas. An integrated ion-trap and time-of-flight mass spectrometer are used to analyze the reactions of the trapped ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}$ ions with three common gases in an ultrahigh vacuum system (${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$, and ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$). It is found that the products of these reactions can all be photodissociated by a single ultraviolet laser at 225 nm, thereby allowing the recovery of the ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}$ ions and leading to an increase of the effective trap lifetime. For a Coulomb crystal, the lifetime increased from roughly 6 h to 2 days at room temperature. It is suggested that higher enhancement factors are possible in systems with stronger traps. In addition, photodissociation wavelengths for other common trapped-ion systems are provided.

arXiv:2109.05174Physical Review ADec 3, 20219 citations

Integrated photonic structures for photon-mediated entanglement of trapped ions

Felix Knollmann, Ethan Clements, Patrick T. Callahan +9 more

Trapped atomic ions are natural candidates for quantum information processing and have the potential to realize or improve quantum computing, sensing, and networking. These applications often require the collection of individual photons emitted from ions into guided optical modes, in some cases for the production of entanglement between separated ions. Proof-of-principle demonstrations of such photon collection from trapped ions have been performed using high-numerical-aperture lenses or cavities and single-mode fibers, but integrated photonic elements in ion-trap structures offer advantages in scalability and manufacturability over traditional optics. In this paper we analyze structures monolithically fabricated with an ion trap for collecting ion-emitted photons, coupling them into waveguides, and manipulating them via interference. We calculate geometric limitations on collection efficiency for this scheme, simulate a single-layer grating that shows performance comparable to demonstrated free-space optics, and discuss practical fabrication and fidelity considerations. Based on this analysis, we conclude that integrated photonics can support scalable systems of trapped ions that can distribute quantum information via photon-mediated entanglement.Trapped atomic ions are natural candidates for quantum information processing and have the potential to realize or improve quantum computing, sensing, and networking. These applications often require the collection of individual photons emitted from ions into guided optical modes, in some cases for the production of entanglement between separated ions. Proof-of-principle demonstrations of such photon collection from trapped ions have been performed using high-numerical-aperture lenses or cavities and single-mode fibers, but integrated photonic elements in ion-trap structures offer advantages in scalability and manufacturability over traditional optics. In this paper we analyze structures monolithically fabricated with an ion trap for collecting ion-emitted photons, coupling them into waveguides, and manipulating them via interference. We calculate geometric limitations on collection efficiency for this scheme, simulate a single-layer grating that shows performance comparable to demonstrated free-space optics, and discuss practical fabrication and fidelity considerations. Based on this analysis, we conclude that integrated photonics can support scalable systems of trapped ions that can distribute quantum information via photon-mediated entanglement.

arXiv:2401.06850Optica QuantumJun 21, 202417 citations

Trapped Ions and Their Applications

Galina A. Nemova

SPIE eBooksNov 6, 20190 citations

The lifetime of

{\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}

ions confined in a Paul trap is found, under typical conditions, to be limited by chemical reactions with residual background gas. An integrated ion-trap and time-of-flight mass spectrometer are used to analyze the reactions of the trapped

{\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}

ions with three common gases in an ultrahigh vacuum system (

{\mathrm{H}}_{2}

{\mathrm{CO}}_{2}

, and

{\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}

). It is found that the products of these reactions can all be photodissociated by a single ultraviolet laser at 225 nm, thereby allowing the recovery of the

{\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}

ions and leading to an increase of the effective trap lifetime. For a Coulomb crystal, the lifetime increased from roughly 6 h to 2 days at room temperature. It is suggested that higher enhancement factors are possible in systems with stronger traps. In addition, photodissociation wavelengths for other common trapped-ion systems are provided.