Generation of spin-motion entanglement in a trapped ion using long-wavelength radiation

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how a magnetic field gradient enables long-wavelength radiation to entangle an ion's spin and motion, advancing quantum control techniques for multi-qubit operations.

Contribution

It introduces a method to generate spin-motion entanglement in a trapped ion using long-wavelength radiation and magnetic field gradients, a novel approach for quantum information processing.

Findings

Successful creation of spin-motion entanglement in a single trapped ion.

Demonstration of coupling between spin and motional states via magnetic field gradient.

Potential application for multi-qubit quantum operations.

Abstract

Applying a magnetic field gradient to a trapped ion allows long-wavelength microwave radiation to produce a mechanical force on the ion's motion when internal transitions are driven. We demonstrate such a coupling using a single trapped \Yb{171}~ion, and use it to produce entanglement between the spin and motional state, an essential step towards using such a field gradient to implement multi-qubit operations.