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

Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation

Trapped ion and neutral atom quantum computers illuminating the path for innovation: past, present, and future of qubit state detection

Klea Dhimitri

Published Mar 19, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum computers are a rapidly growing and emerging technology. Trapped ions and neutral atoms are among the modalities being investigated for quantum computers and rely heavily on photonics. Photonics plays an important role in trapped ion and neutral atom quantum computers especially in measuring the atom’s or ion’s fluorescence or lack of fluorescence as the photons that are emitted carry valuable information on their state. This presentation will provide an overview on trapped ion and neutral atom quantum computers. We will also discuss detector and imaging technologies used for qubit state and mid-circuit measurement as well as considerations for the future of detection and imaging for trapped ion and neutral atom quantum computers.

DOI
10.1117/12.3056586

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

Detection and control of individual trapped ions and neutral atoms

M. Acton

Significant interest and effort have been devoted to using quantum mechanics in order to perform quantum computations or model quantum mechanical systems. Using trapped atomic ions as the building block for a quantum information processor has found notable success, but important questions remain about methods for achieving acceptable error rates in qubit measurement and entanglement production as well as increasing the number of controlled qubits. In this work we present a detailed discussion of qubit measurement on trapped ions using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. We discuss extending this measurement and control to larger numbers of qubits through the use of a multi-zone trap array capable of physically transporting and re-arranging ion qubits. Moreover, we propose a new direction for quantum information research through the first confinement of neutral Cadmium atoms and its implications for future work in coherent quantum information transfer and processing.

•Jan 1, 2008•1 citation

Integrated optics technology for quantum information processing in atomic systems

Changsoon Kim, Caleb W. Knoernschild, Bin Liu +3 more

Scalable quantum information processing in ion traps or neutral atoms requires highly integrated and functional optical systems for qubit manipulation and detection. We discuss and demonstrate integrated optics technologies that are relevant for this application.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•May 1, 2007•0 citations

Integrated Optics Technology for Quantum Information Processing in Atomic Systems

Changsoon Kim, Caleb W. Knoernschild, Bin Liu +3 more

Scalable quantum information processing in ion traps or neutral atoms requires highly integrated and functional optical systems for qubit manipulation and detection. We discuss and demonstrate integrated optics technologies that are relevant for this application.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•May 1, 2007•0 citations

Quantum computation with trapped ions and atoms

Felix Rohde, Jürgen Eschner

This chapter reviews the basic experimental techniques which enable quantum information processing (QIP) with trapped ions and, more briefly, with trapped atoms. In particular, it is explained how the fundamental concepts of quantum computing, such as quantum bits (qubits), qubit rotations, and quantum gates, translate into experimental procedures in a quantum optics laboratory. Furthermore, the recent progress of quantum computing with ions and atoms is summarised, and new approaches to meet the future challenges of scaling up QIP and of atom-photon qubit interfacing are discussed. The chapter is intended to provide an intuitive understanding of the subject and enable the non-specialist student to appreciate the paradigmatic role and the potential of trapped single ions and atoms in the field of quantum computation or, more generally, of quantum optical information technology.

Oxford University Press eBooks•May 5, 2011•4 citations

Advanced Photonics Technology for Trapped Ion Quantum Computing

Jungsang Kim

Trapped atomic ions manipulated by laser beams is a leading candidate to construct scalable and practical quantum computers. Fully programmable quantum computers have been constructed using this technology, offering the highest performance quantum computing in commercial setting. Controlling atomic qubits with lasers is at the heart of constructing reliable trapped ion quantum computers. In this talk, I will discuss the stringent requirement for the optical systems required to build high performance trapped ion quantum computers, and prospect for constructing scalable systems in the future.

Photonics for Quantum (PfQ)•Jul 16, 2021•0 citations
Quantum computers are a rapidly growing and emerging technology. Trapped ions and neutral atoms are among the modalities being investigated for quantum computers and rely heavily on photonics. Photonics plays an important role in trapped ion and neutral atom quantum computers especially in measuring the atom’s or ion’s fluorescence or lack of fluorescence as the photons that are emitted carry valuable information on their state. This presentation will provide an overview on trapped ion and neutral atom quantum computers. We will also discuss detector and imaging technologies used for qubit state and mid-circuit measurement as well as considerations for the future of detection and imaging for trapped ion and neutral atom quantum computers.
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.
Significant interest and effort have been devoted to using quantum mechanics in order to perform quantum computations or model quantum mechanical systems. Using trapped atomic ions as the building block for a quantum information processor has found notable success, but important questions remain about methods for achieving acceptable error rates in qubit measurement and entanglement production as well as increasing the number of controlled qubits. In this work we present a detailed discussion of qubit measurement on trapped ions using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. We discuss extending this measurement and control to larger numbers of qubits through the use of a multi-zone trap array capable of physically transporting and re-arranging ion qubits. Moreover, we propose a new direction for quantum information research through the first confinement of neutral Cadmium atoms and its implications for future work in coherent quantum information transfer and processing.
This chapter reviews the basic experimental techniques which enable quantum information processing (QIP) with trapped ions and, more briefly, with trapped atoms. In particular, it is explained how the fundamental concepts of quantum computing, such as quantum bits (qubits), qubit rotations, and quantum gates, translate into experimental procedures in a quantum optics laboratory. Furthermore, the recent progress of quantum computing with ions and atoms is summarised, and new approaches to meet the future challenges of scaling up QIP and of atom-photon qubit interfacing are discussed. The chapter is intended to provide an intuitive understanding of the subject and enable the non-specialist student to appreciate the paradigmatic role and the potential of trapped single ions and atoms in the field of quantum computation or, more generally, of quantum optical information technology.
Trapped atomic ions manipulated by laser beams is a leading candidate to construct scalable and practical quantum computers. Fully programmable quantum computers have been constructed using this technology, offering the highest performance quantum computing in commercial setting. Controlling atomic qubits with lasers is at the heart of constructing reliable trapped ion quantum computers. In this talk, I will discuss the stringent requirement for the optical systems required to build high performance trapped ion quantum computers, and prospect for constructing scalable systems in the future.