From a single- to a double-well Penning trap

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to convert a planar Penning trap into a controllable double-well potential, enabling coherent tunneling of trapped particles with adjustable rates, useful for quantum information applications.

Contribution

It introduces a reversible, fully controllable technique to create double-well potentials in planar Penning traps for quantum experiments.

Findings

Tunneling rates of kHz are achievable with 100-micron traps.

The potential difference controls the barrier height and tunneling rate.

The method allows coherent oscillations between wells.

Abstract

The new generation of planar Penning traps promises to be a flexible and versatile tool for quantum information studies. Here, we propose a fully controllable and reversible way to change the typical trapping harmonic potential into a double-well potential, in the axial direction. In this configuration a trapped particle can perform coherent oscillations between the two wells. The tunneling rate, which depends on the barrier height and width, can be adjusted at will by varying the potential difference applied to the trap electrodes. Most notably, tunneling rates in the range of kHz are achievable even with a trap size of the order of 100 microns.