Simplified motional heating rate measurements of trapped ions

TL;DR

This paper introduces two simplified methods for measuring motional heating rates in trapped ions, demonstrating their effectiveness on a microfabricated surface-electrode trap with notably low heating rates.

Contribution

The paper presents two novel, simplified techniques for measuring ion motional heating rates, making the process more accessible and efficient.

Findings

Two methods yield consistent heating rate measurements.

The trap exhibits a low heating rate of 300 ± 30 per second at 5.25 MHz.

Heating rates are below typical values for similar traps.

Abstract

We have measured motional heating rates of trapped atomic ions, a factor that can influence multi-ion quantum logic gate fidelities. Two simplified techniques were developed for this purpose: one relies on Raman sideband detection implemented with a single laser source, while the second is even simpler and is based on time-resolved fluorescence detection during Doppler recooling. We applied these methods to determine heating rates in a microfrabricated surface-electrode trap made of gold on fused quartz, which traps ions 40 microns above its surface. Heating rates obtained from the two techniques were found to be in reasonable agreement. In addition, the trap gives rise to a heating rate of 300 plus or minus 30 per second for a motional frequency of 5.25 MHz, substantially below the trend observed in other traps.