Architectures for ion quantum technology

When?

Thursday 27 January 2011 to 13:00

Where?

02ATI02

Open to:

Staff, Students

Speaker:

Dr Winfried K. Hensinger, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex

Quantum theory can have powerful applications due to the possibility of implementing new quantum technologies such as the quantum computer. Recent developments in ion trapping experiments show that it should be possible to implement advanced quantum technology with trapped ions. Quantum information science and coherent manipulation with trapped ions has already been successfully applied in experiments with a small number of quantum bits, for example to realize quantum algorithms such as search, the generation of particular entangled states of up to 8 ions, teleportation, ion-photon entanglement, error correction and others. In order to build useful devices, the next step must include the systematic development of suitable architectures for large scale ion quantum technology applications. I will discuss pathways how such architectures may be realized and recent progress that has been made. At the University of Sussex we are developing a new generation of chip scale ion trap arrays that may accommodate large numbers of single atomic ions. The scalable fabrication of ion trap arrays involves advanced nanofabrication techniques including photolithography. Incorporating MEMS fabrication technologies we report on design and fabrication of a multi-zone y-junction surface-electrode ion trap. We have also trapped single ytterbium ions in an experimental setup particularly designed for the development of advanced ion trap chips. This setup allows for rapid turn-around time, optical access for all type of ion trap chips and up to 100 electric interconnects. I will also present progress on a microfabricated 2-D ion trap array that allows for the creation of ion lattices for the implementation of a quantum simulator.  Shuttling ions in multidimensional structures will likely form an important tool for the interchange of quantum information and I will provide in an introduction into the development of optimal junctions.  I will show a perspective of the work that still needs to be carried out in order to produce practical devices including the realisation of advanced on-chip features and highlight the importance of the condensed matter – atomic physics interface.