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

arXiv:quant-ph/9604026 · Physical Review Letters

Decoherence Bounds on Quantum Computation with Trapped Ions

Richard Hughes, Daniel F. V. James, Emanuel H. Knill, Raymond Laflamme, A. G. Petschek

Published Oct 7, 1996• 89 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Using simple physical arguments we investigate the capabilities of a quantum computer based on cold trapped ions. From the limitations imposed on such a device by spontaneous decay, laser phase coherence, ion heating, and other sources of error, we derive a bound between the number of laser interactions and the number of ions that may be used. The largest number which may be factored using a variety of species of ion is determined.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.77.3240

Related papers

Decoherence bounds on the capabilities of cold trapped ion quantum computers

Daniel F. V. James, Richard Hughes, Emanuel H. Knill +2 more

Using simple physical arguments we investigate the capabilities of a quantum computer based on cold trapped ions of the type recently proposed by Cirac and Zoller. From the limitations imposed on such a device by decoherence due to spontaneous decay, laser phase coherence times, ion heating and other possible sources of error, we derive bounds on the number of laser interactions and on the number of ions that may be used. As a quantitative measure of the possible performance of these devices, the largest number which may be factored using Shor's quantum factoring algorithm is determined for a variety of species of ion.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jul 1, 1997•2 citations

Decoherence bounds on the capabilities of cold trapped ion quantum computers

D James, R J Hughes, Emanuel H. Knill

Using simple physical arguments we investigate the capabilities of a quantum computer based on cold trapped ions of the type recently proposed by Cirac and Zoller. From the limitations imposed on such a device by decoherence due to spontaneous decay, laser phase coherence times, ion heating and other possible sources of error, we derive bounds on the number of laser interactions and on the number of ions that may be used. As a quantitative measure of the possible performance of these devices, the largest number which may be factored using Shor`s quantum factoring algorithm is determined for a variety of species of ion.

•May 1, 1997•0 citations

Decoherence limits to quantum computation using trapped ions

Martin Bodo Plenio, P. L. Knight

We investigate the problem of factorization of large numbers on a quantum computer which we imagine to be realized within a linear ion trap. We derive upper bounds on the size of the numbers that can be factorized on such a quantum computer. These upper bounds are independent of the power of the applied laser. We investigate two possible ways to implement qubits, in metastable optical transitions and in Zeeman sublevels of a stable ground state, and show that in both cases the numbers that can be factorized are not large enough to be of practical interest. We also investigate the effect of quantum error correction on our estimates and show that in realistic systems the impact of quantum error correction is much smaller than expected. Again no number of practical interest can be factorized.

arXiv:quant-ph/9610015•Proceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences•Oct 8, 1997•106 citations

Quantum Dynamics of Cold Trapped Ions With Application to Quantum Computation

Daniel F. V. James

. The theory of interactions between lasers and cold trapped ions as it pertains to the design of Cirac--Zoller quantum computers is discussed. The mean positions of the trapped ions, the eigenvalues and eigenmodes of the ions' oscillations, the magnitude of the Rabi frequencies for both allowed and forbidden internal transitions of the ions, and the validity criterion for the required Hamiltonian are calculated. Energy level data for a variety of ion species are also presented. PACS: 32.80.Qk; 42.50.Vk; 89.80.+h A quantum computer is a device in which data can be stored in a network of quantum mechanical two-level systems, such as spin-1/2 particles or two-level atoms. The quantum mechanical nature of such systems allows the possibility of a powerful new feature to be incorporated into data processing, namely, the capability of performing logical operations upon quantum mechanical superpositions of numbers. Thus in a conventional digital computer each data register is, throughout an...

•Feb 26, 1997•329 citations

Nondissipative decoherence bounds on quantum computation

Stefano Mancini, Rodolfo Bonifacio

We investigate the capabilities of a quantum computer based on cold trapped ions in the presence of nondissipative decoherence. The latter is accounted by using the evolution time as a random variable and then averaging on a properly defined probability distribution. Severe bounds on computational performances are found.

arXiv:quant-ph/0012057•Physical Review A•Feb 14, 2001•8 citations

Non-Dissipative Decoherence in Ion-Trap Quantum Computers

Stefano Mancini, Rodolfo Bonifacio

We investigate the capabilities of a quantum computer based on cold trapped ions in presence of non-dissipative decoherence. The latter is accounted by using the evolution time as a random variable and then averaging on a properly defined probability distribution. Severe bounds on computational performances are found.

Kluwer Academic Publishers eBooks•Feb 24, 2006•0 citations
Using simple physical arguments we investigate the capabilities of a quantum computer based on cold trapped ions. From the limitations imposed on such a device by spontaneous decay, laser phase coherence, ion heating, and other sources of error, we derive a bound between the number of laser interactions and the number of ions that may be used. The largest number which may be factored using a variety of species of ion is determined.
Using simple physical arguments we investigate the capabilities of a quantum computer based on cold trapped ions of the type recently proposed by Cirac and Zoller. From the limitations imposed on such a device by decoherence due to spontaneous decay, laser phase coherence times, ion heating and other possible sources of error, we derive bounds on the number of laser interactions and on the number of ions that may be used. As a quantitative measure of the possible performance of these devices, the largest number which may be factored using Shor's quantum factoring algorithm is determined for a variety of species of ion.
Using simple physical arguments we investigate the capabilities of a quantum computer based on cold trapped ions of the type recently proposed by Cirac and Zoller. From the limitations imposed on such a device by decoherence due to spontaneous decay, laser phase coherence times, ion heating and other possible sources of error, we derive bounds on the number of laser interactions and on the number of ions that may be used. As a quantitative measure of the possible performance of these devices, the largest number which may be factored using Shor`s quantum factoring algorithm is determined for a variety of species of ion.
We investigate the problem of factorization of large numbers on a quantum computer which we imagine to be realized within a linear ion trap. We derive upper bounds on the size of the numbers that can be factorized on such a quantum computer. These upper bounds are independent of the power of the applied laser. We investigate two possible ways to implement qubits, in metastable optical transitions and in Zeeman sublevels of a stable ground state, and show that in both cases the numbers that can be factorized are not large enough to be of practical interest. We also investigate the effect of quantum error correction on our estimates and show that in realistic systems the impact of quantum error correction is much smaller than expected. Again no number of practical interest can be factorized.
. The theory of interactions between lasers and cold trapped ions as it pertains to the design of Cirac--Zoller quantum computers is discussed. The mean positions of the trapped ions, the eigenvalues and eigenmodes of the ions' oscillations, the magnitude of the Rabi frequencies for both allowed and forbidden internal transitions of the ions, and the validity criterion for the required Hamiltonian are calculated. Energy level data for a variety of ion species are also presented. PACS: 32.80.Qk; 42.50.Vk; 89.80.+h A quantum computer is a device in which data can be stored in a network of quantum mechanical two-level systems, such as spin-1/2 particles or two-level atoms. The quantum mechanical nature of such systems allows the possibility of a powerful new feature to be incorporated into data processing, namely, the capability of performing logical operations upon quantum mechanical superpositions of numbers. Thus in a conventional digital computer each data register is, throughout an...