Deterministic reordering of 40Ca+ ions in a linear segmented Paul trap

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a method for deterministically reversing the order of ions in a linear Paul trap using optimized potentials, enabling advanced control for ion-trap quantum computing and potential mixed-species applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel technique for ion reordering in a linear trap through controlled potentials, extending ion manipulation capabilities.

Findings

Reordering of ions can be achieved adiabatically.

The method is theoretically optimized and supported by simulations.

Potential applications include quantum computing and sympathetic cooling.

Abstract

In the endeavour to scale up the number of qubits in an ion-based quantum computer several groups have started to develop miniaturized ion traps for extended spatial control and manipulation of the ions. Shuttling and separation of ion strings have been the foremost issues in linear-trap arrangements and some prototypes of junctions have been demonstrated for the extension of ion motion to two dimensions (2D). While junctions require complex trap structures, small extensions to the 1D motion can be accomplished in simple linear trap arrangements. Here, control of the extended field in a planar, linear chip trap is used to shuttle ions in 2D. With this approach, the order of ions in a string is deterministically reversed. Optimized potentials are theoretically derived and simulations show that the reordering can be carried out adiabatically. The control over individual ion positions in a linear trap presents a new tool for ion-trap quantum computing. The method is also expected to work with mixed crystals of different ion species and as such could have applications for sympathetic cooling of an ion string.