Scaling Trapped Ion Quantum Computers Using Fast Gates and Microtraps

TL;DR

This paper proposes a scalable ion trap quantum computing architecture using microtraps and fast gates, which outperforms shuttling-based systems by simplifying trap design and improving gate performance.

Contribution

It introduces a microtrap array architecture with fast gates that eliminates the need for ion shuttling, enhancing scalability and optical access.

Findings

Fast gates are robust to laser repetition rate limitations.

Microtrap architecture reduces trap complexity and improves optical access.

Performance surpasses shuttling-based architectures.

Abstract

Most attempts to produce a scalable quantum information processing platform based on ion traps have focused on the shuttling of ions in segmented traps. We show that an architecture based on an array of microtraps with fast gates will outperform architectures based on ion shuttling. This system requires higher power lasers, but does not require the manipulation of potentials or shuttling of ions. This improves optical access, reduces the complexity of the trap, and reduces the number of conductive surfaces close to the ions. The use of fast gates also removes limitations on gate time. The performance of the gates is shown to be robust to the limitations in laser repetition rate and the presence of many ions in the trap array.