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AVS Quantum Science

Integrating a fiber cavity into a wheel trap for strong ion–cavity coupling

Markus Teller, Viktor Messerer, Klemens Schüppert, Yueyang Zou, Dario Fioretto, Maria Galli, Philip C. Holz, Jakob Reichel, Tracy E. Northup

Published Jan 25, 2023• 19 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present an ion trap with an integrated fiber cavity, designed for strong coupling at the level of single ions and photons. The cavity is aligned to the axis of a miniature linear Paul trap, enabling simultaneous coupling of multiple ions to the cavity field. We simulate how charges on the fiber mirrors affect the trap potential, and we test these predictions with an ion trapped in the cavity. Furthermore, we measure micromotion and heating rates in the setup.

DOI
10.1116/5.0121534

Related papers

Integrating a fiber cavity into a wheel trap for strong ion-cavity coupling (Conference Presentation)

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Trapped ions coupled to optical cavities can be used to build up quantum interfaces between stationary and flying qubits in a quantum network. Shared entangled states between different network nodes have proven to be an essential resource for various applications of a quantum network, such as distributed quantum computation. At a first quantum network node, we have trapped ions in a linear Paul trap and coupled them to an optical cavity two centimeter in length. We have demonstrated entanglement of a single ion with a single photon, and used this high-fidelity operation to entangle two ions in a heralded fashion [1,2]. However, the speed of these operations is intrinsically limited by the ion-cavity coupling strength, which is predetermined by the length of the optical cavity. Fiber-based optical cavities have been coupled to single ions and it has been shown that these microscopic cavities allow access to the strong coupling regime [3]. Operating in this regime would enable quantum communication protocols to be carried out over long distances with enhanced fidelity and efficiency. With this goal, we have designed and constructed a novel ion-cavity system which incorporates a fiber cavity. In my talk, I will introduce basic building blocks of quantum networks based on trapped ions coupled to optical cavities and will present recent results, including simulation and characterization of our fiber-based ion-cavity system. [1] A. Stute et al., Nature. 485, 482 (2012) [2] B. Casabone et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 100505 (2013) [4] H. Takahashi et al., arXiv:1808.04031 (2018)

Quantum Communications and Quantum Imaging•Sep 10, 2019•0 citations

Towards an integrated ion trap - cavity system with strong coupling for multiple ions

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Precise control over internal states of atomic ions in ion traps has been possible for many years enabling high precision spectroscopy of atomic transitions. Trapped ions are suitable candidates for quantum information processing due to their long storage times, low decoherence rates and high readout efficiency. Recent advances in micro-machining fibre optic mirrors and integrated fibre optic-ion trap systems for cavity QED allows one to realise strong coupling between an ion and a cavity mode by reducing the mode volume. For strong ion-cavity coupling, deterministic transfer of quantum states between ions and photons is possible. We have designed and constructed a miniaturised linear Paul trap with an integrated optical cavity, intended for coupling multiple ions to the cavity mode. The RF-electrode separation is 50μm, while the endcap separation is 350μm. The endcap electrodes are narrow tubes of inner diameter 300μm allowing optical fibers through the tubes to form the cavity. The trap depth we calculate to be 650meV for a 10V applied potential at 20MHz. The 4P1⁄2→ 3D3⁄2 transition of the atomic ion 40Ca+ with Γ = 24π × 22MHz can be coupled to an optical fibre Fabry-Perot cavity with length of 380µm, finesse of 33,000 and cavity linewidth k = 2π ×11MHz.The ion-cavity coherent coupling g = 2π × 19:5MHz of this system will put it in single-ion strong coupling regime with cooperativity, C=1.5.

•Sep 1, 2016•0 citations

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We present and characterize fiber mirrors and a miniaturized ion-trap design developed to integrate a fiber-based Fabry-Perot cavity (FFPC) with a linear Paul trap for use in cavity-QED experiments with trapped ions. Our fiber-mirror fabrication process not only enables the construction of FFPCs with small mode volumes, but also allows us to minimize the influence of the dielectric fiber mirrors on the trapped-ion pseudopotential. We discuss the effect of clipping losses for long FFPCs and the effect of angular and lateral displacements on the coupling efficiencies between cavity and fiber. Optical profilometry allows us to determine the radii of curvature and ellipticities of the fiber mirrors. From finesse measurements, we infer a single-atom cooperativity of up to 12 for FFPCs longer than 200 μm in length; comparison to cavities constructed with reference substrate mirrors produced in the same coating run indicates that our FFPCs have similar scattering losses. We characterize the birefringence of our fiber mirrors, finding that careful fiber-mirror selection enables us to construct FFPCs with degenerate polarization modes. As FFPCs are novel devices, we describe procedures developed for handling, aligning, and cleaning them. We discuss experiments to anneal fiber mirrors and explore the influence of the atmosphere under which annealing occurs on coating losses, finding that annealing under vacuum increases the losses for our reference substrate mirrors. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements indicate that these losses may be attributable to oxygen depletion in the mirror coating. Special design considerations enable us to introduce a FFPC into a trapped ion setup. Our unique linear Paul trap design provides clearance for such a cavity and is miniaturized to shield trapped ions from the dielectric fiber mirrors. We numerically calculate the trap potential in the absence of fibers. In the experiment additional electrodes can be used to compensate distortions of the potential due to the fibers. Home-built fiber feedthroughs connect the FFPC to external optics, and an integrated nanopositioning system affords the possibility of retracting or realigning the cavity without breaking vacuum.

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We present a novel ion trap design which facilitates the integration of an optical fiber cavity into the trap structure. The optical fibers are confined inside hollow electrodes in such a way that tight shielding and free movement of the fibers are simultaneously achievable. The latter enables in situ optimization of the overlap between the trapped ions and the cavity field. Through numerical simulations, we systematically analyze the effects of the electrode geometry on the trapping characteristics such as trap depths, secular frequencies and the optical access angle. Additionally, we simulate the effects of the presence of the fibers and confirm the robustness of the trapping potential. Based on these simulations and other technical considerations, we devise a practical trap configuration that isviable to achieve strong coupling of a single ion.

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Moonjoo Lee, Minjae Lee, Seokjun Hong +7 more

We present a numerical study of a MEMS-based design of a fiber cavity integrated with an ion trap system. Each fiber mirror is supported by a microactuator that controls the mirror's position in three dimensions. The mechanical stability is investigated by a feasibility analysis showing that the actuator offers a stable support of the fiber. The actuators move the fibers' positions continuously with a stroke of more than 10 $\mu$m, with mechanical resonance frequencies on the order of kHz. A calculation of the trapping potential shows that a separation between ion and fiber consistent with strong ion-cavity coupling is feasible. Our miniaturized ion-photon interface constitutes a viable approach to integrated hardware for quantum information.

•Jul 17, 2019•0 citations

Design and fabrication of metal-shielded fiber-cavity mirrors for ion-trap systems

CHEN Wei-Bin, Ding Fang, Cheng-Hao Zhang +4 more

Abstract Trapped ions in micro-cavities constitute a key platform for advancing quantum information processing and quantum networking. By providing an efficient light–matter interface within a compact architecture, they serve as highly efficient quantum nodes with strong potential for a scalable quantum network. However, in such systems, ion trapping stability is often compromised by surface charging effects, and nearby dielectric materials are known to cause a dramatic increase in the ion heating rate by several orders of magnitude. These challenges significantly hinder the practical implementation of ion trap systems integrated with micro-cavities. To overcome these limitations, we present the design and fabrication of metal-shielded fiber-cavity mirrors, enabling the stable realization of ion trap systems integrated with fiber cavities. Using this method, we constructed a needle ion trap integrated with a fiber Fabry–Pérot cavity and successfully achieved stable trapping of a single ion within the cavity. The measured ion heating rate was reduced by more than an order of magnitude compared with unshielded configurations. This work establishes a key technique toward fully integrated ion–photon interfaces for scalable quantum networks.

Quantum Science and Technology•Jan 13, 2026•1 citation
We present an ion trap with an integrated fiber cavity, designed for strong coupling at the level of single ions and photons. The cavity is aligned to the axis of a miniature linear Paul trap, enabling simultaneous coupling of multiple ions to the cavity field. We simulate how charges on the fiber mirrors affect the trap potential, and we test these predictions with an ion trapped in the cavity. Furthermore, we measure micromotion and heating rates in the setup.
Trapped ions coupled to optical cavities can be used to build up quantum interfaces between stationary and flying qubits in a quantum network. Shared entangled states between different network nodes have proven to be an essential resource for various applications of a quantum network, such as distributed quantum computation. At a first quantum network node, we have trapped ions in a linear Paul trap and coupled them to an optical cavity two centimeter in length. We have demonstrated entanglement of a single ion with a single photon, and used this high-fidelity operation to entangle two ions in a heralded fashion [1,2]. However, the speed of these operations is intrinsically limited by the ion-cavity coupling strength, which is predetermined by the length of the optical cavity. Fiber-based optical cavities have been coupled to single ions and it has been shown that these microscopic cavities allow access to the strong coupling regime [3]. Operating in this regime would enable quantum communication protocols to be carried out over long distances with enhanced fidelity and efficiency. With this goal, we have designed and constructed a novel ion-cavity system which incorporates a fiber cavity. In my talk, I will introduce basic building blocks of quantum networks based on trapped ions coupled to optical cavities and will present recent results, including simulation and characterization of our fiber-based ion-cavity system. [1] A. Stute et al., Nature. 485, 482 (2012) [2] B. Casabone et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 100505 (2013) [4] H. Takahashi et al., arXiv:1808.04031 (2018)
Precise control over internal states of atomic ions in ion traps has been possible for many years enabling high precision spectroscopy of atomic transitions. Trapped ions are suitable candidates for quantum information processing due to their long storage times, low decoherence rates and high readout efficiency. Recent advances in micro-machining fibre optic mirrors and integrated fibre optic-ion trap systems for cavity QED allows one to realise strong coupling between an ion and a cavity mode by reducing the mode volume. For strong ion-cavity coupling, deterministic transfer of quantum states between ions and photons is possible. We have designed and constructed a miniaturised linear Paul trap with an integrated optical cavity, intended for coupling multiple ions to the cavity mode. The RF-electrode separation is 50μm, while the endcap separation is 350μm. The endcap electrodes are narrow tubes of inner diameter 300μm allowing optical fibers through the tubes to form the cavity. The trap depth we calculate to be 650meV for a 10V applied potential at 20MHz. The 4P1⁄2→ 3D3⁄2 transition of the atomic ion 40Ca+ with Γ = 24π × 22MHz can be coupled to an optical fibre Fabry-Perot cavity with length of 380µm, finesse of 33,000 and cavity linewidth k = 2π ×11MHz.The ion-cavity coherent coupling g = 2π × 19:5MHz of this system will put it in single-ion strong coupling regime with cooperativity, C=1.5.
We present and characterize fiber mirrors and a miniaturized ion-trap design developed to integrate a fiber-based Fabry-Perot cavity (FFPC) with a linear Paul trap for use in cavity-QED experiments with trapped ions. Our fiber-mirror fabrication process not only enables the construction of FFPCs with small mode volumes, but also allows us to minimize the influence of the dielectric fiber mirrors on the trapped-ion pseudopotential. We discuss the effect of clipping losses for long FFPCs and the effect of angular and lateral displacements on the coupling efficiencies between cavity and fiber. Optical profilometry allows us to determine the radii of curvature and ellipticities of the fiber mirrors. From finesse measurements, we infer a single-atom cooperativity of up to 12 for FFPCs longer than 200 μm in length; comparison to cavities constructed with reference substrate mirrors produced in the same coating run indicates that our FFPCs have similar scattering losses. We characterize the birefringence of our fiber mirrors, finding that careful fiber-mirror selection enables us to construct FFPCs with degenerate polarization modes. As FFPCs are novel devices, we describe procedures developed for handling, aligning, and cleaning them. We discuss experiments to anneal fiber mirrors and explore the influence of the atmosphere under which annealing occurs on coating losses, finding that annealing under vacuum increases the losses for our reference substrate mirrors. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements indicate that these losses may be attributable to oxygen depletion in the mirror coating. Special design considerations enable us to introduce a FFPC into a trapped ion setup. Our unique linear Paul trap design provides clearance for such a cavity and is miniaturized to shield trapped ions from the dielectric fiber mirrors. We numerically calculate the trap potential in the absence of fibers. In the experiment additional electrodes can be used to compensate distortions of the potential due to the fibers. Home-built fiber feedthroughs connect the FFPC to external optics, and an integrated nanopositioning system affords the possibility of retracting or realigning the cavity without breaking vacuum.
We present a novel ion trap design which facilitates the integration of an optical fiber cavity into the trap structure. The optical fibers are confined inside hollow electrodes in such a way that tight shielding and free movement of the fibers are simultaneously achievable. The latter enables in situ optimization of the overlap between the trapped ions and the cavity field. Through numerical simulations, we systematically analyze the effects of the electrode geometry on the trapping characteristics such as trap depths, secular frequencies and the optical access angle. Additionally, we simulate the effects of the presence of the fibers and confirm the robustness of the trapping potential. Based on these simulations and other technical considerations, we devise a practical trap configuration that isviable to achieve strong coupling of a single ion.
We present a numerical study of a MEMS-based design of a fiber cavity integrated with an ion trap system. Each fiber mirror is supported by a microactuator that controls the mirror's position in three dimensions. The mechanical stability is investigated by a feasibility analysis showing that the actuator offers a stable support of the fiber. The actuators move the fibers' positions continuously with a stroke of more than 10 μ\muμm, with mechanical resonance frequencies on the order of kHz. A calculation of the trapping potential shows that a separation between ion and fiber consistent with strong ion-cavity coupling is feasible. Our miniaturized ion-photon interface constitutes a viable approach to integrated hardware for quantum information.
Abstract Trapped ions in micro-cavities constitute a key platform for advancing quantum information processing and quantum networking. By providing an efficient light–matter interface within a compact architecture, they serve as highly efficient quantum nodes with strong potential for a scalable quantum network. However, in such systems, ion trapping stability is often compromised by surface charging effects, and nearby dielectric materials are known to cause a dramatic increase in the ion heating rate by several orders of magnitude. These challenges significantly hinder the practical implementation of ion trap systems integrated with micro-cavities. To overcome these limitations, we present the design and fabrication of metal-shielded fiber-cavity mirrors, enabling the stable realization of ion trap systems integrated with fiber cavities. Using this method, we constructed a needle ion trap integrated with a fiber Fabry–Pérot cavity and successfully achieved stable trapping of a single ion within the cavity. The measured ion heating rate was reduced by more than an order of magnitude compared with unshielded configurations. This work establishes a key technique toward fully integrated ion–photon interfaces for scalable quantum networks.