Arbitrary Waveform Generator for Quantum Information Processing with Trapped Ions

TL;DR

This paper presents a fast, multi-channel arbitrary waveform generator designed for quantum information processing with trapped ions, enabling rapid ion transport and precise quantum pulse shaping.

Contribution

The development of a high-speed, multi-channel waveform generator with real-time control capabilities tailored for ion trap quantum computing.

Findings

Enables diabatic ion transport at speeds faster than motional frequencies.

Allows rapid switching between pre-loaded voltage sets with 40 ns latency.

Demonstrates improved quantum logic pulse shaping and ion transport.

Abstract

Atomic ions confined in multi-electrode traps have been proposed as a basis for scalable quantum information processing. This scheme involves transporting ions between spatially distinct locations by use of time-varying electric potentials combined with laser or microwave pulses for quantum logic in specific locations. We report the development of a fast multi-channel arbitrary waveform generator for applying the time-varying electric potentials used for transport and for shaping quantum logic pulses. The generator is based on a field-programmable gate array controlled ensemble of 16-bit digital-to-analog converters with an update frequency of 50 MHz and an output range of $\pm$10 V. The update rate of the waveform generator is much faster than relevant motional frequencies of the confined ions in our experiments, allowing diabatic control of the ion motion. Numerous pre-loaded sets of time-varying voltages can be selected with 40 ns latency conditioned on real-time signals. Here we describe the device and demonstrate some of its uses in ion-based quantum information experiments, including speed-up of ion transport and the shaping of laser and microwave pulses.