Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Atoms, Ions and Photons for Quantum Tasks: Strengths and Weaknesses

Julio T. Barreiro

Published Jan 1, 2014• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

I will describe applications employing ions, photons and neutral atoms for quantum science. This will lead to an insider’s comparison of single- and many-particle aspects of the production (ease and time), lifetime, manipulation and measurement of these quantum systems.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_qels.2014.ftu3a.1

Related papers

Catch the atom

Liesbeth C. Venema

Quantum mechanics reigns at the atomic scale. And although techniques exist to manipulate single photons and ions, individual neutral atoms have been hard to catch — until now.

•Jan 1, 2001•0 citations

How to Catch an Atom: Tales on Time-Telling and Future Applications

Noa Segev, David J. Wineland

This article is based on an interview between the two authors. Small particles, such as single photons, electrons, atoms or charged atoms (called ions), can experience a very different world from that which we usually perceive. While in our daily life, things seem to be reasonably predictable, continuous, and well-defined, in the “quantum” world of single or small numbers of particles, there are surprises and many unexpected “non-classical” behaviors. In addition to its complexity, the world of small particles opens up some very interesting possibilities for applications to practical problems. To take advantage of the amazing properties of small particles, scientists and other researchers have developed various techniques for holding and isolating photons, electrons, atoms, and ions and manipulating their behavior. In this article, we will try to give you a glance into the fascinating lives of small particles, tell you about techniques for working with them, and mention exciting new potential applications that take advantage of their unique behaviors.

Frontiers for Young Minds•May 31, 2023•0 citations

Quantum Physics of Light and Matter: A Modern Introduction to Photons, Atoms and Many-Body Systems

Luca Salasnich

•May 18, 2014•8 citations

This Week in Science

The manipulation of single-quantum objects is a key requirement for the engineering of microscopic quantum systems. Applications such as single-atom micromasers (microwave lasers), triggered single-photon sources, or deterministic entanglement of atoms all require the ability to deliver single atoms on demand to a desired location. The trapping and manipulation of atoms as neutral species is more challenging than for charged ions because of the weak interaction of neutral species with electromagnetic fields. Kuhr et al. (p. 278) have overcome these difficulties by combining magneto-optical trapping and optical-trapping techniques. They demonstrate the precision transport of single neutral cesium atoms over distances of 1 centimeter and the ejection of single atoms into free flight.

Science•Jul 13, 2001•1 citation

Single-Photon Sources

Urbasi Sinha, Surya Narayan Sahoo, Ashutosh Singh +3 more

Exploring and extending the promise of quantum technologies requires the ability to work with single quantum objects—especially photons. Here’s a look at the range of single-photon-source technologies available, and how and where they work.

Optics and Photonics News•Aug 30, 2019•31 citations

Resources for Optical Quantum Information Science and Technology

Sabine Wollmann

Quantum information science explores the foundational aspects of quantum mechanics and its ombination with information science for new information technologies. The underlying key resource is non-classical correlations. These counter-intuitive correlations between quantum systems can be used for encoding, transmitting and measuring information in quantum information tasks. Although quantum properties can be used in a variety of systems, here we explore photons. These information carriers are fast, easy to generate and manipulate and only interact weakly with the environment. These properties make them to excellent candidates to be employed in experiments. Developing quantum technology, such as single photon sources and single photon detectors, allows us to investigate the foundational aspects of quantum mechanics in quantum information tasks. These tasks use non-classical correlations, which form a hierarchy, from Bell nonlocality to Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) steering to quantum nonseparability. Two systems are nonlocally correlated, when measuring one system affects the measurement results on the other system, hence the name `steering. In test for non-classical correlations, we share a quantum state between two observers which are trusted or untrusted. While observers are both untrusted or trusted in entanglement witness tests and Bell inequality violations, respectively, EPR-steering is distinct from these two classes by its fundamental asymmetry: one party is trusted while the other is untrusted.

•Jan 1, 2017•0 citations
This article is based on an interview between the two authors. Small particles, such as single photons, electrons, atoms or charged atoms (called ions), can experience a very different world from that which we usually perceive. While in our daily life, things seem to be reasonably predictable, continuous, and well-defined, in the “quantum” world of single or small numbers of particles, there are surprises and many unexpected “non-classical” behaviors. In addition to its complexity, the world of small particles opens up some very interesting possibilities for applications to practical problems. To take advantage of the amazing properties of small particles, scientists and other researchers have developed various techniques for holding and isolating photons, electrons, atoms, and ions and manipulating their behavior. In this article, we will try to give you a glance into the fascinating lives of small particles, tell you about techniques for working with them, and mention exciting new potential applications that take advantage of their unique behaviors.
The manipulation of single-quantum objects is a key requirement for the engineering of microscopic quantum systems. Applications such as single-atom micromasers (microwave lasers), triggered single-photon sources, or deterministic entanglement of atoms all require the ability to deliver single atoms on demand to a desired location. The trapping and manipulation of atoms as neutral species is more challenging than for charged ions because of the weak interaction of neutral species with electromagnetic fields. Kuhr et al. (p. 278) have overcome these difficulties by combining magneto-optical trapping and optical-trapping techniques. They demonstrate the precision transport of single neutral cesium atoms over distances of 1 centimeter and the ejection of single atoms into free flight.
Quantum information science explores the foundational aspects of quantum mechanics and its ombination with information science for new information technologies. The underlying key resource is non-classical correlations. These counter-intuitive correlations between quantum systems can be used for encoding, transmitting and measuring information in quantum information tasks. Although quantum properties can be used in a variety of systems, here we explore photons. These information carriers are fast, easy to generate and manipulate and only interact weakly with the environment. These properties make them to excellent candidates to be employed in experiments. Developing quantum technology, such as single photon sources and single photon detectors, allows us to investigate the foundational aspects of quantum mechanics in quantum information tasks. These tasks use non-classical correlations, which form a hierarchy, from Bell nonlocality to Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) steering to quantum nonseparability. Two systems are nonlocally correlated, when measuring one system affects the measurement results on the other system, hence the name `steering. In test for non-classical correlations, we share a quantum state between two observers which are trusted or untrusted. While observers are both untrusted or trusted in entanglement witness tests and Bell inequality violations, respectively, EPR-steering is distinct from these two classes by its fundamental asymmetry: one party is trusted while the other is untrusted.