Scalable Loading of a Two-Dimensional Trapped-Ion Array

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a rapid, scalable method for loading a 2D ion-trap array using crossed laser beams and a remote neutral atom source, enabling efficient large-scale quantum computing with minimal disturbance.

Contribution

Introduces a novel method for fast, parallel loading of 2D ion arrays with high fidelity and minimal decoherence, suitable for large-scale quantum information processing.

Findings

Achieved single-ion loading per site with long trap lifetimes.

Demonstrated loading without disturbing neighboring qubits.

Showed potential for increased loading rates with higher laser power.

Abstract

We describe rapid, random-access loading of a two-dimensional (2D) surface-electrode ion-trap array based on two crossed photo-ionization laser beams. With the use of a continuous flux of pre-cooled neutral atoms from a remotely-located source, we achieve loading of a single ion per site while maintaining long trap lifetimes and without disturbing the coherence of an ion quantum bit in an adjacent site. This demonstration satisfies all major criteria necessary for loading and reloading extensive 2D arrays, as will be required for large-scale quantum information processing. Moreover, the already high loading rate can be increased by loading ions in parallel with only a concomitant increase in photo-ionization laser power and no need for additional atomic flux.