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

AVS Quantum Science

Ytterbium ion trap quantum computing: The current state-of-the-art

Gavin Nop, Durga Paudyal, Jonathan D. H. Smith

Published Nov 22, 2021• 19 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present an overview of contemporary quantum computing with ytterbium ion traps, placing the emphasis on industry implementations. We provide brief, concrete descriptions of various key features, such as trap loading, electronic structure, qubit function, gates, error analysis, and benchmarking. We focus on the underlying science and current technologies to provide readers with a holistic picture of available techniques for using ytterbium in contemporary ion trap designs.

DOI
10.1116/5.0065951

Related papers

Ion-Based Quantum Computing Hardware: Performance and End-User Perspective

Thomas Strohm, Karen Wintersperger, Florian Dommert +6 more

This is the second paper in a series of papers providing an overview of different quantum computing hardware platforms from an industrial end-user perspective. It follows our first paper on neutral-atom quantum computing. In the present paper, we provide a survey on the current state-of-the-art in trapped-ion quantum computing, taking up again the perspective of an industrial end-user. To this end, our paper covers, on the one hand, a comprehensive introduction to the physical foundations and mechanisms that play an important role in operating a trapped-ion quantum computer. On the other hand, we provide an overview of the key performance metrics that best describe and characterise such a device's current computing capability. These metrics encompass performance indicators such as qubit numbers, gate times and errors, native gate sets, qubit stability and scalability as well as considerations regarding the general qubit types and trap architectures. In order to ensure that these metrics reflect the current state of trapped-ion quantum computing as accurate as possible, they have been obtained by both an extensive review of recent literature and, more importantly, from discussions with various quantum hardware vendors in the field. We combine these factors and provide - again from an industrial end-user perspective - an overview of what is currently possible with trapped-ion quantum computers, which algorithms and problems are especially suitable for this platform, what are the relevant end-to-end wall clock times for calculations, and what might be possible with future fault-tolerant trapped-ion quantum computers.

arXiv:2405.11450•May 19, 2024•1 citation

Ion Traps

Masatoshi Kajita

This engaging book presents the fundamentals of ion traps and their use in physics, chemistry and their technological applications. Following an overview of the types of traps and their operation, the book explores their key areas of application for the development of new physics, chemistry, or engineering at a level accessible by students. The introductory nature and broad coverage will also make the book essential reading for scientists who wish to understand and explore the use of ion traps in their research. Embracing optical manipulation, entanglement and exploitation in quantum computing, chemical reactivity, atomic clocks and testing fundamental physics this book provides a broad and accessible introduction to the world of ion traps and how our understanding and exploitation of trapped ions is furthering modern science and technology. Key features • An accessible overview of ion traps and their applications. • Extensive coverage includes relevant physics and applications in physics and chemistry. • Introduces the main areas of application in modern scientific research. • Appendices feature mathematical topics and descriptions for advanced readers.

Institute of Physics eBooks•Dec 1, 2022•7 citations

Trapped-Ion Quantum Computing

Albert Frisch, Alexander Erhard, Thomas Feldker +12 more

Abstract The future of quantum information processing requires a stable hardware platform to execute quantum circuits reliably and with low error rates, such that solutions for industrial applications can be built on top of it. Trapped-ion quantum computing, among other platforms, currently proves to be very suitable for the transition from tabletop, lab-based experiments to rack-mounted, on-premise systems which allow operation in data center environments. Several technical challenges need to be solved and controlling many degrees of freedom needs to be optimized and automated, before industrial applications can be successfully implemented on quantum computers situated within data centers. These necessary developments range from the architecture of an ion trap that fundamentally defines the supported instruction sets, over the control electronics and laser systems, which limit the quality of qubit operations, to the optimized compilation of quantum circuits based on qubit properties and gate fidelities. In this chapter, we give an introduction to the ion-trap quantum computing platform, present the current technical state of the art of Alpine Quantum Technologies’ ion-trapping hardware and rack-based quantum computing systems, and highlight parts of the execution stack.

Springer eBooks•Jan 1, 2024•2 citations

Quantum computation with trapped ions and the "heating problem"

Daniel F. V. James

We present a brief review of the current state of the art of quantum computation with trapped ions, with particular emphasis on the problems caused by `heating' of the ions' motional degrees of freedom.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jul 13, 2000•0 citations

Trapped-Ion Quantum Computers

Cornelius Hempel

Abstract The trapped-ion architecture was the first platform to demonstrate quantum gate operations in 1995 and continues to be a leading candidate for building a fault-tolerant quantum computer. This chapter provides a brief background on common performance metrics and nomenclature, summarizes the state of the art, and places them in context within the larger pursuit of error-corrected quantum computers. Current research thrusts in academia and industry are referenced, and an example roadmap is examined to show where the platform is right now and where it might be headed on the road to realizing a scaled-up device.

Springer eBooks•Dec 1, 2025•2 citations

Very brief on quantum computing with special respect to ion traps technology

Svetomir Simonović

Because of the continuing miniaturization of integrated circuits it appears that quantum phenomena will play a more and more dominant role in their design and functioning. Therefore, the work exposes concise quantum mechanical and mathematical background of quantum phenomena based computing through the introduction of concepts such as Hilbert space, qubit, Bloch sphere, quantum gate and measurement. Recent improvements in ion- trap technology based computing suggest ion- trap technology as the most promising one for use in quantum computing. So, the paper describes the ion- trap based technology, its use in quantum computation and its latest applications in quantum computing. It turns out that recent ion- trap technology based computers dramatically improves on all of the Vincenzo’s criterions.

Advanced Technologies & Materials•Dec 15, 2021•1 citation
We present an overview of contemporary quantum computing with ytterbium ion traps, placing the emphasis on industry implementations. We provide brief, concrete descriptions of various key features, such as trap loading, electronic structure, qubit function, gates, error analysis, and benchmarking. We focus on the underlying science and current technologies to provide readers with a holistic picture of available techniques for using ytterbium in contemporary ion trap designs.
This is the second paper in a series of papers providing an overview of different quantum computing hardware platforms from an industrial end-user perspective. It follows our first paper on neutral-atom quantum computing. In the present paper, we provide a survey on the current state-of-the-art in trapped-ion quantum computing, taking up again the perspective of an industrial end-user. To this end, our paper covers, on the one hand, a comprehensive introduction to the physical foundations and mechanisms that play an important role in operating a trapped-ion quantum computer. On the other hand, we provide an overview of the key performance metrics that best describe and characterise such a device's current computing capability. These metrics encompass performance indicators such as qubit numbers, gate times and errors, native gate sets, qubit stability and scalability as well as considerations regarding the general qubit types and trap architectures. In order to ensure that these metrics reflect the current state of trapped-ion quantum computing as accurate as possible, they have been obtained by both an extensive review of recent literature and, more importantly, from discussions with various quantum hardware vendors in the field. We combine these factors and provide - again from an industrial end-user perspective - an overview of what is currently possible with trapped-ion quantum computers, which algorithms and problems are especially suitable for this platform, what are the relevant end-to-end wall clock times for calculations, and what might be possible with future fault-tolerant trapped-ion quantum computers.
This engaging book presents the fundamentals of ion traps and their use in physics, chemistry and their technological applications. Following an overview of the types of traps and their operation, the book explores their key areas of application for the development of new physics, chemistry, or engineering at a level accessible by students. The introductory nature and broad coverage will also make the book essential reading for scientists who wish to understand and explore the use of ion traps in their research. Embracing optical manipulation, entanglement and exploitation in quantum computing, chemical reactivity, atomic clocks and testing fundamental physics this book provides a broad and accessible introduction to the world of ion traps and how our understanding and exploitation of trapped ions is furthering modern science and technology. Key features • An accessible overview of ion traps and their applications. • Extensive coverage includes relevant physics and applications in physics and chemistry. • Introduces the main areas of application in modern scientific research. • Appendices feature mathematical topics and descriptions for advanced readers.
Abstract The future of quantum information processing requires a stable hardware platform to execute quantum circuits reliably and with low error rates, such that solutions for industrial applications can be built on top of it. Trapped-ion quantum computing, among other platforms, currently proves to be very suitable for the transition from tabletop, lab-based experiments to rack-mounted, on-premise systems which allow operation in data center environments. Several technical challenges need to be solved and controlling many degrees of freedom needs to be optimized and automated, before industrial applications can be successfully implemented on quantum computers situated within data centers. These necessary developments range from the architecture of an ion trap that fundamentally defines the supported instruction sets, over the control electronics and laser systems, which limit the quality of qubit operations, to the optimized compilation of quantum circuits based on qubit properties and gate fidelities. In this chapter, we give an introduction to the ion-trap quantum computing platform, present the current technical state of the art of Alpine Quantum Technologies’ ion-trapping hardware and rack-based quantum computing systems, and highlight parts of the execution stack.
Abstract The trapped-ion architecture was the first platform to demonstrate quantum gate operations in 1995 and continues to be a leading candidate for building a fault-tolerant quantum computer. This chapter provides a brief background on common performance metrics and nomenclature, summarizes the state of the art, and places them in context within the larger pursuit of error-corrected quantum computers. Current research thrusts in academia and industry are referenced, and an example roadmap is examined to show where the platform is right now and where it might be headed on the road to realizing a scaled-up device.
Because of the continuing miniaturization of integrated circuits it appears that quantum phenomena will play a more and more dominant role in their design and functioning. Therefore, the work exposes concise quantum mechanical and mathematical background of quantum phenomena based computing through the introduction of concepts such as Hilbert space, qubit, Bloch sphere, quantum gate and measurement. Recent improvements in ion- trap technology based computing suggest ion- trap technology as the most promising one for use in quantum computing. So, the paper describes the ion- trap based technology, its use in quantum computation and its latest applications in quantum computing. It turns out that recent ion- trap technology based computers dramatically improves on all of the Vincenzo’s criterions.