Quantum Sensing and Simulations with Three-Dimensional Ion Crystals in a Penning Trap
Abstract
We propose to extend the techniques for quantum control of trapped ions developed for linear chains and planar crystals to three dimensional crystals in a Penning trap, enabling an increase in system size from several hundred to tens of thousands of ion qubits. This would be, by far, the largest trapped ion quantum platform demonstrated to date. High-fidelity quantum control of trapped ions has yielded impressive demonstrations of quantum information processing and quantum sensing, but scaling trapped ion quantum platforms to thousands of qubits remains a challenge. Penning ion traps are advantageous for increasing ion number due to the use of static electric and magnetic trapping fields for confinement, which enable straightforward trapping of multi-dimensional crystals without the micromotion intrinsic to rf Paul traps. Two-dimensional crystals of several hundred ions in Penning traps have been utilized for both quantum simulation and quantum sensing, demonstrating effective techniques for quantum operations on trapped ion qubits. Trapping, cooling, and control of the crystal structure have also been demonstrated with three-dimensional crystals of tens of thousands of ions in Penning traps. However, quantum control, including ground state cooling, multi-qubit interactions, and coupling between the spin and motional states of the ions, has not yet been achieved. Quantum control with three-dimensional crystals of thousands of ions would enable a myriad of applications. These include an improved sensitivity to weak electric fields such as those that can arise due to axion dark matter and an atomic clock with exquisite frequency stability. A particular class of three-dimensional crystals consisting of two parallel planes of ions could also be employed for quantum information processing with spatially separated ensembles of qubits. Furthermore, the mode structure of three-dimensional crystals lends itself to simulations of topological condensed matter materials without the need for additional external control capabilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502510080
Entities
People
- Ana María Rey
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Regents of the University of Colorado
- United States Air Force