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 Optics: Devices, Materials, and Technologies

Integrated photonics for scalable quantum systems: from UV nanophotonics to trapped-ion architectures

Rangana Banerjee Chaudhuri, Carl-Frederik Grimpe, Fatemeh Salahshoori, Guochun Du, Judith Elena Jordan, Markus Kromrey, Atasi Chatterjee, T. E. Mehlstäubler

Published Mar 4, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) offer compact and scalable solutions for trapped-ion quantum technologies. This work demonstrates photonic platforms that promise the potential integration of photonic components for light delivery and control across ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. Passive waveguides and beam-shaping structures provide precise and stable optical addressing of ions, while active elements such as modulators and switches enable dynamic, on-chip control for quantum operations. Materials like aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and aluminum nitride (AlN) are evaluated to illustrate how functionality can be tailored to spectral needs. These integrated photonic systems reduce reliance on bulky free-space optics, improve alignment stability, and support future development of compact quantum sensors, atomic clocks, and scalable quantum processors.

DOI
10.1117/12.3080676

Related papers

Chip integrated photonics for ion based quantum computing

Steffen Sauer, Anastasiia Sorokina, Carl-Frederik Grimpe +5 more

Ion traps are a promising platform for the realisation of high-performance quantum computers. To enable the future scalability of these systems, integrated photonic solutions for guiding and manipulating the laser light at chip level are a major step. Such passive optical components offer the great advantage of providing beam radii in the μm range at the location of the ions without increasing the number of bulk optics. Different wavelengths, from UV to NIR, as well as laser beam properties, such as angle or polarisation, are required for different cooling and readout processes of ions. We present simulation results for different optical photonic components, such as grating outcouplers or waveguide splitters and their applications on ion trap chips. Furthermore, we will introduce the experimental setup for the optical characterisation of the fabricated structures.

EPJ Web of Conferences•Jan 1, 2022•1 citation

Integrated Multi-Wavelength Photonic Architectures for Future Scalable Trapped Ion Quantum Devices

Alto Osada, Koichiro Miyanishi

Recent advances of quantum technologies rely on precise control and integration of quantum objects, and technological breakthrough is anticipated for further scaling up to realize practical applications. Trapped-ion quantum technology is a promising candidates to realize them, while its scalability depends on the development of intra-node scaling up, reproducibility of quantum nodes and photonic interconnection among them. Utilization of integrated photonics instead of free-space optics is a crucial step toward mass production of trapped-ion quantum nodes and manifests itself as useful for laser delivery for various quantum operations and photon detection. However, whole architecture of the scalable photonic circuits for them is left unexplored. In this work, we discuss photonic architectures for trapped-ion quantum devices, in which lasers of multiple wavelengths are delivered to multiple trapping zones within a single chip. We analyze two methods of configuring nanophotonic waveguides and compare them in terms of loss of total laser power. This work opens up a new landscape of photonic architecture for various applications not only to quantum ones such as trapped-ion devices but also to classical photonics, e.g. optoelectronic devices and biochemical sensing.

arXiv:2505.07445•May 12, 2025•0 citations

Enhanced trapped-ion quantum control in foundry-fabricated integrated devices

Aditya Milind Kolhatkar, Vighnesh Natarajan, Hamim Mahmud Rivy +3 more

Integrated optical control of trapped-ion qubits leveraging dielectric waveguides photonics within planar-fabricated trap devices offers routes to scaling the optical control critical to trapped-ion quantum computing. The ultraviolet to infrared functionality required for many atomic systems, the multiple metal layers for large-scale trap arrays, and the long-term interest in integration of active functionality and integrated electronics motivates development of foundry-based platforms for such systems, to facilitate accessibility to the complex fabrication involved. Aside from scaling, utilization of such technology in trapped-ion quantum systems further stands to alleviate limitations on basic physical operations employed in both quantum computing and metrology, which experiments are starting to demonstrate. I will summarize our recent results using phase-stable standing-wave delivery practically enabled by integrated photonic addressing to enhance ground-state laser cooling, which we experimentally demonstrate using trap devices with integrated Al2O3 and Si3N4 waveguides for UV-NIR addressing fabricated in a commercial foundry. I will also discuss relevance of similar ideas to alleviating power requirements in laser-based entangling gates, and work in progress towards experimental realization, including in a 300 mm-wafer foundry platform for such devices in development.

SPIE Quantum Information Science, Sensing, and Computation•Jun 12, 2026•0 citations

Integrated multi-wavelength photonic routing architectures for scalable trapped ion quantum devices

Alto Osada, Koichiro Miyanishi

Recent advances in quantum technologies rely on precise control and integration of quantum objects, and technological breakthroughs are anticipated for further scaling up to realize practical applications. Trapped-ion quantum technology is a promising candidate to realize them, while its scalability depends on the development of intra-node scaling up, reproducibility of quantum nodes, and photonic interconnection among them. Utilization of integrated photonics instead of free-space optics is a crucial step toward mass production of trapped-ion quantum nodes and manifests itself as useful for laser delivery for various quantum operations and photon detection. However, the whole architecture of the scalable photonic circuits for them is left unexplored. In this work, we discuss photonic routing architectures for trapped-ion quantum devices, in which lasers of multiple wavelengths are delivered to multiple trapping zones within a single chip. We analyze two methods of configuring nanophotonic waveguides and compare them in terms of loss of total laser power. This work opens up a new landscape of photonic architecture for trapped-ion quantum technologies, which broadens the scope of integrated photonics for quantum technologies.

APL Quantum•Jan 2, 2026•0 citations

A broadband, individually addressing two- and three-dimensional photonic integrated circuit for trapped-ion qubit control

Daniel Klawson, Yiyang Zhi, Bingran You +21 more

Trapped ions provide a high-fidelity platform for quantum information processing, yet delivery of multiple, distinct wavelengths across large networks of interaction zones remains a bottleneck. Conventional free-space light delivery lacks scalability, while on-chip grating couplers suffer from narrow operational bandwidth that increases circuit footprint and optical interfacing complexity. Here we show a broadband photonic integrated circuit capable of addressing individual ions. The circuit combines a planar waveguide lens with a micromirror fabricated using two-photon polymerization at wafer scale. This implementation can address three individual ions from $λ$ = 405 - 880 nm with -27 dB average intensity crosstalk at $5\,μ\mathrm{m}$ pitch. We trap $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}^{+}$ and $^{138}\mathrm{Ba}^{+}$ ions above such devices, characterize optical crosstalk with barium ions, and demonstrate individual repumping of calcium ions. This monolithic photonic architecture brings broadband addressing in an on-chip modality to trapped-ion technology. More generally, integrating additive manufacturing into quantum devices is poised to unlock expanded design space for implementing novel quantum architectures.

quant-pharXiv:2607.25062•Jul 29, 2026•0 citations

Scaling Up Trapped-Ion Quantum Processors with Integrated Photonics

Molly P. Andersen, Bryan A. DeBono, Sara Campbell +16 more

Quantinuum has deployed trapped-ion quantum computers based on a quantum charge-coupled (QCCD) architecture exhibiting high-fidelity operations, mid-circuit measurements, and full connectivity with record performance. Quantinuum recently released its accelerated Roadmap outlining plans to reach thousands of physical qubits while further reducing logical qubit error rates in commercial systems by 2029 [1]. Longerterm scaling of the QCCD device architecture will be enabled by replacing bulk free-space optics with integrated photonics for improved light delivery and detection. To this end, Quantinuum is developing integrated photonics technologies at the visible and ultraviolet wavelengths required for future large-scale trapped-ion quantum computers. This poster presents recent developments in materials (waveguiding materials, transparent conductive materials), visible and ultraviolet integrated photonics components for light routing and control, and the various paths to their implementation. These developments are expected to enable scaling towards larger qubit counts while reducing the physical size of the optical control systems.

IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering (QCE)•Aug 30, 2025•0 citations
Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) offer compact and scalable solutions for trapped-ion quantum technologies. This work demonstrates photonic platforms that promise the potential integration of photonic components for light delivery and control across ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. Passive waveguides and beam-shaping structures provide precise and stable optical addressing of ions, while active elements such as modulators and switches enable dynamic, on-chip control for quantum operations. Materials like aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and aluminum nitride (AlN) are evaluated to illustrate how functionality can be tailored to spectral needs. These integrated photonic systems reduce reliance on bulky free-space optics, improve alignment stability, and support future development of compact quantum sensors, atomic clocks, and scalable quantum processors.
Ion traps are a promising platform for the realisation of high-performance quantum computers. To enable the future scalability of these systems, integrated photonic solutions for guiding and manipulating the laser light at chip level are a major step. Such passive optical components offer the great advantage of providing beam radii in the μm range at the location of the ions without increasing the number of bulk optics. Different wavelengths, from UV to NIR, as well as laser beam properties, such as angle or polarisation, are required for different cooling and readout processes of ions. We present simulation results for different optical photonic components, such as grating outcouplers or waveguide splitters and their applications on ion trap chips. Furthermore, we will introduce the experimental setup for the optical characterisation of the fabricated structures.
Recent advances of quantum technologies rely on precise control and integration of quantum objects, and technological breakthrough is anticipated for further scaling up to realize practical applications. Trapped-ion quantum technology is a promising candidates to realize them, while its scalability depends on the development of intra-node scaling up, reproducibility of quantum nodes and photonic interconnection among them. Utilization of integrated photonics instead of free-space optics is a crucial step toward mass production of trapped-ion quantum nodes and manifests itself as useful for laser delivery for various quantum operations and photon detection. However, whole architecture of the scalable photonic circuits for them is left unexplored. In this work, we discuss photonic architectures for trapped-ion quantum devices, in which lasers of multiple wavelengths are delivered to multiple trapping zones within a single chip. We analyze two methods of configuring nanophotonic waveguides and compare them in terms of loss of total laser power. This work opens up a new landscape of photonic architecture for various applications not only to quantum ones such as trapped-ion devices but also to classical photonics, e.g. optoelectronic devices and biochemical sensing.
Integrated optical control of trapped-ion qubits leveraging dielectric waveguides photonics within planar-fabricated trap devices offers routes to scaling the optical control critical to trapped-ion quantum computing. The ultraviolet to infrared functionality required for many atomic systems, the multiple metal layers for large-scale trap arrays, and the long-term interest in integration of active functionality and integrated electronics motivates development of foundry-based platforms for such systems, to facilitate accessibility to the complex fabrication involved. Aside from scaling, utilization of such technology in trapped-ion quantum systems further stands to alleviate limitations on basic physical operations employed in both quantum computing and metrology, which experiments are starting to demonstrate. I will summarize our recent results using phase-stable standing-wave delivery practically enabled by integrated photonic addressing to enhance ground-state laser cooling, which we experimentally demonstrate using trap devices with integrated Al2O3 and Si3N4 waveguides for UV-NIR addressing fabricated in a commercial foundry. I will also discuss relevance of similar ideas to alleviating power requirements in laser-based entangling gates, and work in progress towards experimental realization, including in a 300 mm-wafer foundry platform for such devices in development.
Recent advances in quantum technologies rely on precise control and integration of quantum objects, and technological breakthroughs are anticipated for further scaling up to realize practical applications. Trapped-ion quantum technology is a promising candidate to realize them, while its scalability depends on the development of intra-node scaling up, reproducibility of quantum nodes, and photonic interconnection among them. Utilization of integrated photonics instead of free-space optics is a crucial step toward mass production of trapped-ion quantum nodes and manifests itself as useful for laser delivery for various quantum operations and photon detection. However, the whole architecture of the scalable photonic circuits for them is left unexplored. In this work, we discuss photonic routing architectures for trapped-ion quantum devices, in which lasers of multiple wavelengths are delivered to multiple trapping zones within a single chip. We analyze two methods of configuring nanophotonic waveguides and compare them in terms of loss of total laser power. This work opens up a new landscape of photonic architecture for trapped-ion quantum technologies, which broadens the scope of integrated photonics for quantum technologies.
Trapped ions provide a high-fidelity platform for quantum information processing, yet delivery of multiple, distinct wavelengths across large networks of interaction zones remains a bottleneck. Conventional free-space light delivery lacks scalability, while on-chip grating couplers suffer from narrow operational bandwidth that increases circuit footprint and optical interfacing complexity. Here we show a broadband photonic integrated circuit capable of addressing individual ions. The circuit combines a planar waveguide lens with a micromirror fabricated using two-photon polymerization at wafer scale. This implementation can address three individual ions from λλλ = 405 - 880 nm with -27 dB average intensity crosstalk at 5 μm5\,μ\mathrm{m}5μm pitch. We trap 40Ca+^{40}\mathrm{Ca}^{+}40Ca+ and 138Ba+^{138}\mathrm{Ba}^{+}138Ba+ ions above such devices, characterize optical crosstalk with barium ions, and demonstrate individual repumping of calcium ions. This monolithic photonic architecture brings broadband addressing in an on-chip modality to trapped-ion technology. More generally, integrating additive manufacturing into quantum devices is poised to unlock expanded design space for implementing novel quantum architectures.
Quantinuum has deployed trapped-ion quantum computers based on a quantum charge-coupled (QCCD) architecture exhibiting high-fidelity operations, mid-circuit measurements, and full connectivity with record performance. Quantinuum recently released its accelerated Roadmap outlining plans to reach thousands of physical qubits while further reducing logical qubit error rates in commercial systems by 2029 [1]. Longerterm scaling of the QCCD device architecture will be enabled by replacing bulk free-space optics with integrated photonics for improved light delivery and detection. To this end, Quantinuum is developing integrated photonics technologies at the visible and ultraviolet wavelengths required for future large-scale trapped-ion quantum computers. This poster presents recent developments in materials (waveguiding materials, transparent conductive materials), visible and ultraviolet integrated photonics components for light routing and control, and the various paths to their implementation. These developments are expected to enable scaling towards larger qubit counts while reducing the physical size of the optical control systems.