A cryogenic surface-electrode elliptical ion trap for quantum simulation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a cryogenic surface-electrode elliptical ion trap designed for quantum simulation, enabling higher coupling rates and magnetic interactions in 2-D ion crystals, verified through experiments and theoretical calculations.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel cryogenic elliptical ion trap design suitable for microfabrication and quantum simulation applications, with experimental validation and magnetic force interaction analysis.

Findings

Ion crystal structure verified within 5% of model

J-coupling rates estimated around 10^3 / s

Trap design supports scalable quantum simulations

Abstract

Two-dimensional crystals of trapped ions are a promising system with which to implement quantum simulations of challenging problems such as spin frustration. Here, we present a design for a surface-electrode elliptical ion trap which produces a 2-D ion crystal and is amenable to microfabrication, which would enable higher simulated coupling rates, as well as interactions based on magnetic forces generated by on-chip currents. Working in an 11 K cryogenic environment, we experimentally verify to within 5% a numerical model of the structure of ion crystals in the trap. We also explore the possibility of implementing quantum simulation using magnetic forces, and calculate J-coupling rates on the order of 10^3 / s for an ion crystal height of 10 microns, using a current of 1 A.