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

Integrated System Technologies for Modular Trapped Ion Quantum Information Processing

Stephen Crain

Published Jan 1, 2016• 1 citation
OpenAlex

Abstract

Although trapped ion technology is well-suited for quantum information science, scalability of the system remains one of the main challenges. One of the challenges associated with scaling the ion trap quantum computer is the ability to individually manipulate the increasing number of qubits. Using micro-mirrors fabricated with micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, laser beams are focused on individual ions in a linear chain and steer the focal point in two dimensions. Multiple single qubit gates are demonstrated on trapped 171Yb+ qubits and the gate performance is characterized using quantum state tomography. The system features negligible crosstalk to neighboring ions (< 3e-4), and switching speeds comparable to typical single qubit gate times (< 2 us). In a separate experiment, photons scattered from the 171Yb+ ion are coupled into an optical fiber with 63% efficiency using a high numerical aperture lens (0.6 NA). The coupled photons are directed to superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPD), which provide a higher detector efficiency (69%) compared to traditional photomultiplier tubes (35%). The total system photon collection efficiency is increased from 2.2% to 3.4%, which allows for fast state detection of the qubit. For a detection beam intensity of 11 mW/cm2, the average detection time is 23.7 us with 99.885(7)% detection fidelity. The technologies demonstrated in this thesis can be integrated to form a single quantum register with all of the necessary resources to perform local gates as well as high fidelity readout and provide a photon link to other systems.

Related papers

Individual addressing of trapped 171Yb+ ion qubits using a microelectromechanical systems-based beam steering system

Stephen Crain, Emily Mount, S. Baek +1 more

The ability to individually manipulate the increasing number of qubits is one of the many challenges towards scalable quantum information processing with trapped ions. Using micro-mirrors fabricated with micro-electromechanical systems technology, we focus laser beams on individual ions in a linear chain and steer the focal point in two dimensions. We demonstrate sequential single qubit gates on multiple 171Yb+ qubits and characterize the gate performance using quantum state tomography. Our system features negligible crosstalk to neighboring ions (⁠<3×10−4⁠), and switching speed comparable to typical single qubit gate times (<2 μs).

Applied Physics Letters•Nov 3, 2014•46 citations

Integration of Advanced Optics for Trapped Ion Quantum Information Processing

Rachel Noek

Trapped ion systems are the leading candidate for quantum information processing because many of the critical components have already been demonstrated. Scaling trapped ion systems to large numbers of ions is currently believed possible, but much work remains to prove it. Microfabricated surface ion traps are increasing in popularity for their ease of mass production and their ability to manipulate individual ions and interact arbitrary pairs of ions. Even with the advent of scalable ion traps, detection of an individual ion trapped in a high vacuum poses a challenge. The internal state of the ion chosen for a quantum bit can be measured via exposure to a probe beam that causes one state to scatter light (a "bright" state), but not the other state (a "dark" state). In free space, a single ion acts like a point source that emits in all directions; a standard two inch lens system can only collect about 2% of the light emitted by the ion. Poor light collection results in a high error rate and slow determination of the internal state of the ion. Fast, high fidelity state detection is necessary for quantum error correction and loophole-free Bell experiments at short (less than 100\\,km) distances, and high efficiency collection is necessary to rapidly interconnect separate quantum computers. We demonstrate state detection fidelities of 99%, 99.856(8)% and 99.915(7) % which correspond to detection times of 10.5, 28.1 and 99.8 us, respectively.

•Jan 1, 2013•0 citations

Individual addressing of trapped $^{171}$Yb$^+$ ion qubits using a MEMS-based beam steering system

Stephen Crain, Emily Mount, Baek, S. +1 more

The ability to individually manipulate the increasing number of qubits is one of the many challenges towards scalable quantum information processing with trapped ions. Using micro-mirrors fabricated with micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, we focus laser beams on individual ions in a linear chain and steer the focal point in two dimensions. We demonstrate sequential single qubit gates on multiple $^{171}$Yb$^+$ qubits and characterize the gate performance using quantum state tomography. Our system features negligible crosstalk to neighboring ions ($< 3\times 10^{-4}$), and switching speed comparable to typical single qubit gate times ($

arXiv:1409.5362•Sep 18, 2014•0 citations

Application of OMEMS technology in trapped ion quantum computing

Stephen Crain, Emily Mount, So-Young Baek +2 more

Scalability is one of the main challenges of trapped ion based quantum computation, partly limited by the ability to manipulate the increasing number of quantum bits (qubits). For individual addressing of qubits, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology allows one to design movable micromirrors to focus laser beams on individual ions and steer the focal point in two dimensions. This system is able to scale to multiple beams, has switching speeds comparable to typical single qubit gate times, and has negligible crosstalk on neighboring ions.

International Conference on Optical MEMS and Nanophotonics•Aug 1, 2015•0 citations

Monolithic ion trap integration of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors and photonics for trapped-ion qubit state readout

Benedikt Hampel, D. H. Slichter, Dietrich G. Leibfried +9 more

Atomic ions can be trapped in vacuum with dc and rf electric potentials generated by surface electrode ion traps, and used as qubits in quantum computing applications. Qubit state preparation and control is usually accomplished with laser light while the qubit state readout is achieved by observing qubit-state-dependent fluorescence from the ion while driving an optical cycling transition. The monolithic integration of optical waveguides and single-photon detectors into the ion trap itself provides both light delivery and fluorescence photon counting capability, offering benefits for scaling in trapped ion quantum computing by eliminating the need for free-space optical access to the trap. One promising candidate for integrated high-fidelity trapped-ion qubit state readout are superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs). However, the joint integration of photonics and superconducting detectors into ion trap chips presents challenges for their design, fabrication, and operation. In this work, we present our progress on the integration of SNSPDs into linear ion traps with integrated photonics designed for Ca+ qubits.

Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation•Mar 5, 2026•0 citations

Trap-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors for trapped-ion qubit state readout

Benedikt Hampel, D. H. Slichter, Dietrich G. Leibfried +3 more

State readout of trapped-ion qubits is usually achieved by observing qubit-state-dependent fluorescence from the ion while driving an optical cycling transition with laser light. The integration of photon detectors for fluorescence detection into the ion trap itself may benefit the development of many-qubit setups for applications like quantum computing. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are promising candidates for trap-integrated detectors for high-fidelity trapped-ion qubit state readout. However, the strong oscillating electromagnetic fields that are typically used to trap and manipulate ions can affect the function of the SNSPDs significantly. In this work, we demonstrate an improved design to integrate SNSPDs into linear rf ion traps that reduces the susceptibility of the SNSPDs to applied rf trapping potentials. Our measurement results represent an improvement in rf tolerance by an order of magnitude with an increase in operation temperature from 3.5K to 6K compared to previous work.

Advanced Photon Counting Techniques•Jun 7, 2024•0 citations
Although trapped ion technology is well-suited for quantum information science, scalability of the system remains one of the main challenges. One of the challenges associated with scaling the ion trap quantum computer is the ability to individually manipulate the increasing number of qubits. Using micro-mirrors fabricated with micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, laser beams are focused on individual ions in a linear chain and steer the focal point in two dimensions. Multiple single qubit gates are demonstrated on trapped 171Yb+ qubits and the gate performance is characterized using quantum state tomography. The system features negligible crosstalk to neighboring ions (< 3e-4), and switching speeds comparable to typical single qubit gate times (< 2 us). In a separate experiment, photons scattered from the 171Yb+ ion are coupled into an optical fiber with 63% efficiency using a high numerical aperture lens (0.6 NA). The coupled photons are directed to superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPD), which provide a higher detector efficiency (69%) compared to traditional photomultiplier tubes (35%). The total system photon collection efficiency is increased from 2.2% to 3.4%, which allows for fast state detection of the qubit. For a detection beam intensity of 11 mW/cm2, the average detection time is 23.7 us with 99.885(7)% detection fidelity. The technologies demonstrated in this thesis can be integrated to form a single quantum register with all of the necessary resources to perform local gates as well as high fidelity readout and provide a photon link to other systems.
The ability to individually manipulate the increasing number of qubits is one of the many challenges towards scalable quantum information processing with trapped ions. Using micro-mirrors fabricated with micro-electromechanical systems technology, we focus laser beams on individual ions in a linear chain and steer the focal point in two dimensions. We demonstrate sequential single qubit gates on multiple 171Yb+ qubits and characterize the gate performance using quantum state tomography. Our system features negligible crosstalk to neighboring ions (⁠<3×10−4⁠), and switching speed comparable to typical single qubit gate times (<2 μs).
Trapped ion systems are the leading candidate for quantum information processing because many of the critical components have already been demonstrated. Scaling trapped ion systems to large numbers of ions is currently believed possible, but much work remains to prove it. Microfabricated surface ion traps are increasing in popularity for their ease of mass production and their ability to manipulate individual ions and interact arbitrary pairs of ions. Even with the advent of scalable ion traps, detection of an individual ion trapped in a high vacuum poses a challenge. The internal state of the ion chosen for a quantum bit can be measured via exposure to a probe beam that causes one state to scatter light (a "bright" state), but not the other state (a "dark" state). In free space, a single ion acts like a point source that emits in all directions; a standard two inch lens system can only collect about 2% of the light emitted by the ion. Poor light collection results in a high error rate and slow determination of the internal state of the ion. Fast, high fidelity state detection is necessary for quantum error correction and loophole-free Bell experiments at short (less than 100\\,km) distances, and high efficiency collection is necessary to rapidly interconnect separate quantum computers. We demonstrate state detection fidelities of 99%, 99.856(8)% and 99.915(7) % which correspond to detection times of 10.5, 28.1 and 99.8 us, respectively.
Individual addressing of trapped 171^{171}171Yb+^++ ion qubits using a MEMS-based beam steering system
The ability to individually manipulate the increasing number of qubits is one of the many challenges towards scalable quantum information processing with trapped ions. Using micro-mirrors fabricated with micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, we focus laser beams on individual ions in a linear chain and steer the focal point in two dimensions. We demonstrate sequential single qubit gates on multiple 171^{171}171Yb+^++ qubits and characterize the gate performance using quantum state tomography. Our system features negligible crosstalk to neighboring ions (<3×10−4< 3\times 10^{-4}<3×10−4), and switching speed comparable to typical single qubit gate times ($
Scalability is one of the main challenges of trapped ion based quantum computation, partly limited by the ability to manipulate the increasing number of quantum bits (qubits). For individual addressing of qubits, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology allows one to design movable micromirrors to focus laser beams on individual ions and steer the focal point in two dimensions. This system is able to scale to multiple beams, has switching speeds comparable to typical single qubit gate times, and has negligible crosstalk on neighboring ions.
Atomic ions can be trapped in vacuum with dc and rf electric potentials generated by surface electrode ion traps, and used as qubits in quantum computing applications. Qubit state preparation and control is usually accomplished with laser light while the qubit state readout is achieved by observing qubit-state-dependent fluorescence from the ion while driving an optical cycling transition. The monolithic integration of optical waveguides and single-photon detectors into the ion trap itself provides both light delivery and fluorescence photon counting capability, offering benefits for scaling in trapped ion quantum computing by eliminating the need for free-space optical access to the trap. One promising candidate for integrated high-fidelity trapped-ion qubit state readout are superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs). However, the joint integration of photonics and superconducting detectors into ion trap chips presents challenges for their design, fabrication, and operation. In this work, we present our progress on the integration of SNSPDs into linear ion traps with integrated photonics designed for Ca+ qubits.
State readout of trapped-ion qubits is usually achieved by observing qubit-state-dependent fluorescence from the ion while driving an optical cycling transition with laser light. The integration of photon detectors for fluorescence detection into the ion trap itself may benefit the development of many-qubit setups for applications like quantum computing. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are promising candidates for trap-integrated detectors for high-fidelity trapped-ion qubit state readout. However, the strong oscillating electromagnetic fields that are typically used to trap and manipulate ions can affect the function of the SNSPDs significantly. In this work, we demonstrate an improved design to integrate SNSPDs into linear rf ion traps that reduces the susceptibility of the SNSPDs to applied rf trapping potentials. Our measurement results represent an improvement in rf tolerance by an order of magnitude with an increase in operation temperature from 3.5K to 6K compared to previous work.