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arXiv:quant-ph/0607217 · Fortschritte der Physik

Optimization of segmented linear Paul traps and transport of stored particles

S. Schulz, Ulrich Poschinger, Kilian Singer, Ferdinand Schmidt‐Kaler

Published Aug 1, 2006• 75 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract Single ions held in linear Paul traps are promising candidates for a future quantum computer. Here, we discuss a two‐layer microstructured segmented linear ion trap. The radial and axial potentials are obtained from numeric field simulations and the geometry of the trap is optimized. As the trap electrodes are segmented in the axial direction, the trap allows the transport of ions between different spatial regions. Starting with realistic numerically obtained axial potentials, we optimize the transport of an ion such that the motional degrees of freedom are not excited, even though the transport speed far exceeds the adiabatic regime. In our optimization we achieve a transport within roughly two oscillation periods in the axial trap potential compared to typical adiabatic transports that take of the order 102 oscillations. Furthermore heating due to quantum mechanical effects is estimated and suppression strategies are proposed.

DOI
10.1002/prop.200610324

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Kalte Ionenkristalle in einer segmentierten Paul-Falle

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Abstract Single ions held in linear Paul traps are promising candidates for a future quantum computer. Here, we discuss a two‐layer microstructured segmented linear ion trap. The radial and axial potentials are obtained from numeric field simulations and the geometry of the trap is optimized. As the trap electrodes are segmented in the axial direction, the trap allows the transport of ions between different spatial regions. Starting with realistic numerically obtained axial potentials, we optimize the transport of an ion such that the motional degrees of freedom are not excited, even though the transport speed far exceeds the adiabatic regime. In our optimization we achieve a transport within roughly two oscillation periods in the axial trap potential compared to typical adiabatic transports that take of the order 102 oscillations. Furthermore heating due to quantum mechanical effects is estimated and suppression strategies are proposed.
Abstract It was recently proposed to use small groups of trapped ions as qubit carriers in miniaturized electrode arrays that comprise a large number of individual trapping zones, between which ions could be moved [1,2] This approach might be scalable for quantum information processing with a large numbers of qubits. Processing of quantum information is achieved by transporting ions to and from separate memory and qubit manipulation zones in between quantum logic operations. The transport of ion groups in this scheme plays a major role and requires precise experimental control and fast transport times. In this paper we introduce a theoretical framework to study ion transport in external potentials that might be created by typical miniaturized Paul trap electrode arrays. In particular we discuss the relationship between classical and quantum descriptions of the transport and study the energy transfer to the oscillatory motion during near‐adiabatic transport. Based on our findings we suggest a numerical method to find electrode potentials as a function of time to optimize the local potential an ion experiences during transport. We demonstrate this method for one specific electrode geometry that should closely represent the situation encountered in realistic trap arrays.
We describe the construction and operation of a segmented linear Paul trap, fabricated in printed-circuit-board technology with an electrode segment width of 500 microns. We prove the applicability of this technology to reliable ion trapping and report the observation of Doppler cooled ion crystals of Ca-40 with this kind of traps. Measured trap frequencies agree with numerical simulations at the level of a few percent from which we infer a high fabrication accuracy of the segmented trap. To demonstrate its usefulness and versatility for trapped ion experiments we study the fast transport of a single ion. Our experimental results show a success rate of 99.0(1)% for a transport distance of 2x2mm in a round-trip time of T=20us, which corresponds to 4 axial oscillations only. We theoretically and experimentally investigate the excitation of oscillations caused by fast ion transports with error-function voltage ramps: For a slightly slower transport (a round-trip shuttle within T=30us) we observe non-adiabatic motional excitation of 0.89(15)meV.
Laser-cooled ions in linear Paul Traps are one of the most promising candidates for a quantum computer. This thesis reports on the construction and operation of a segmented Paul trap. The trap was fabricated in UHV-compatible printed-circuit-board (PCB) technology and consists of 15 segments with a minimum segment width of 0,5 mm. With the large number of segments it is unique in Europe. Although a PCB-trap may not be suitable for large-scale quantum computers, the advantage of such a trap is fast and reliable fabrication with low fabrication costs. Therefore this technology is ideal for rapid testing of new trap geometries and ion shuttling methods. Experiments were carried out with individual laser-cooled 40Ca+ ions stored in the trap and observed by detecting their fluorescence. Measured trap frequencies agree to numerical simulations at the level of a few percent, demonstrating the fabrication accuracy of the segmented trap. Compensation voltages are used to cancel stray fields. The long time stability of these compensation voltages over many months is comparable to a conventional unsegmented trap. To determine the short time stability of the PCB-trap, the heating rate of the motional mode of an ion was measured by detecting fluoresence during Doppler cooling of heated ions. The observed heating rate was much higher than expected due to a massive deposition of calcium on the trap electrodes. Transport dynamics of a single trapped ion was investigated by shuttling the ion between trap locations 2mm apart. A non-adiabatic transport in roughly two oscillation periods in the axial trap potential was achieved. The quality of a transport function was evaluated with two different methods: the success probability and the excess energy of the ion after transport. The measurements were compared with numerical simulations of the classical energy transfer due to the transport. Finally, a string of ions held in a common trap was separated into two distinct traps.
We describe the construction and operation of a segmented linear Paul trap, fabricated in printed-circuit-board technology with an electrode segment width of 500 μm. We prove the applicability of this technology to reliable ion trapping and report the observation of Doppler-cooled ion crystals of 40 Ca + with this kind of trap. Measured trap frequencies agree with numerical simulations at the level of a few percent from which we infer a high fabrication accuracy of the segmented trap. To demonstrate its usefulness and versatility for trapped ion experiments we study the fast transport of a single ion. Our experimental results show a success rate of 99.0(1)% for a transport distance of 2 × 2 mm in a round-trip time of T = 20 μs, which corresponds to 4 axial oscillations only. We theoretically and experimentally investigate the excitation of oscillations caused by fast ion transports with error-function voltage ramps: for a slightly slower transport (a round-trip shuttle within T = 30 μs) we observe non-adiabatic motional excitation of 0.89(15) meV.
Summary form only given. We discuss experiments with trapped /sup 9/Be/sup +/ ions in a micro-machined linear Paul trap that has two trapping regions separated by 1.2 mm. This trap geometry permits experiments that are the first steps toward a multiplexed, scalable quantum computer. We demonstrate coherent manipulations on a single ion that is transported between trapping regions, separation of two ions, and a quantum logic gate on a single ion that is made possible by the significantly reduced heating rate in this trap. We demonstrate adiabatic transport of a single ion between the trapping regions using time varying electrode potentials. A single ion is transported adiabatically over 1.2 mm between the trapping regions in 500 /spl mu/s with a measured increase of 0.1 /spl plusmn/ 0.1 motional quanta. A single ion has been transported between traps non-adiabatically in times as short as 50 /spl mu/s. Through manipulation of the electrode potentials we also show controlled separation of two ions initially held in one region to two regions that are separated by 1.2 mm.
We present the design, fabrication, and characterization of a monolithic, segmented, three-dimensional linear Paul ion trap for quantum science applications. The trap is fabricated from a single fused-silica block using selective laser-induced etching (SLE) and is subsequently metallized, forming electrodes isolated by self-shadowing trench structures without the need for layer alignment or external shadow masks. The segmented electrodes allow for shaping of the axial potential, enabling the creation of anharmonic potential wells, such as those required for equidistant ion strings. In addition, they enable shuttling and splitting of ion chains. We discuss key design choices and SLE-imposed constraints on achievable feature sizes, and evaluate electron-beam evaporation and magnetron sputtering as metallization approaches. Across two independent experimental setups, we demonstrate stable trapping and control of linear chains of up to 33 40^{40}40Ca+^++ ions, including approximately equally spaced configurations. The measured secular frequencies in both traps agree with boundary-element simulations at the percent level, with residual deviations attributed to stray electric fields in the presence of anharmonic axial potentials, rather than fabrication imperfections. We measure axial micromotion field strengths on the order of 100 V/m along the trap axis, in approximate agreement with simulations. For radial mode frequencies near 2 MHz and an ion-electrode distance of 300 um, we measure heating rates of the order of 10 quanta/s in all but one motional mode, which is elevated by a technical noise source. The presented trap design is thus suitable for a wide range of quantum science applications and demonstrates the viability of SLE for the fabrication of finely segmented, monolithic, three-dimensional ion traps.