Towards linear phononics and nonlocality tests in ion traps

TL;DR

This paper investigates manipulating motional states of trapped ions to emulate linear optics and perform nonlocality tests, revealing new possibilities for quantum information processing with massive particles.

Contribution

It demonstrates that local control enables linear optics operations on ion radial modes, and global control allows for high degrees of entanglement and nonlocality tests with massive degrees of freedom.

Findings

Full linear optics toolbox can be implemented on radial modes with local control.

Unprecedented levels of continuous variable entanglement are achievable with global control.

Nonlocality tests with massive particles are feasible in ion traps.

Abstract

We explore the possibility to manipulate massive, i.e. motional, degrees of freedom of trapped ions. In particular, we demonstrate that, if local control of the trapping frequencies is achieved, one can reproduce the full toolbox of linear optics on radial modes. Furthermore, assuming only global control of the trapping potential, we show that unprecedented degrees of continuous variable entanglement can be obtained and that nonlocality tests with massive degrees of freedom can be carried out.