Characterization and active cancellation of power-line-induced motional-mode frequency noise in a trapped-ion system

TL;DR

This paper investigates 60-Hz power-line noise affecting trapped-ion quantum systems, characterizes its impact on motional frequencies, and demonstrates an active cancellation method that significantly extends coherence times.

Contribution

It provides a systematic characterization of power-line-induced frequency noise and introduces an active cancellation technique to mitigate its effects in trapped-ion quantum computing.

Findings

Active cancellation reduces 60-Hz noise amplitude.

Coherence time extended from 10 ms to 35 ms.

Passive phase correction validates noise characterization.

Abstract

The stability of motional-mode frequency is essential for realizing high-fidelity quantum gates in trapped-ion quantum computing. While broadband Gaussian noise has been extensively studied and mitigated using pulse shaping techniques, the impact of coherent periodic noise has remained largely unexplored. Here we report a systematic investigation of 60-Hz power-line noise and its effect on the secular frequencies of a single ${}^{171}\mathrm{Yb}^{+}$ ion. Using spin-echo Ramsey spectroscopy, we characterize the amplitude and phase of the resulting secular-frequency modulation and validate this characterization via passive phase correction of the Ramsey sequence. Building on this, we implement active cancellation by injecting a compensation tone into the set-point of a PI controller that stabilizes the trap RF drive amplitude. A phasor-fitting procedure optimizes the amplitude and phase of the compensation signal, enabling near-complete suppression of the 60-Hz component. With active cancellation engaged, the coherence time of a radial motional mode is extended from approximately 10 ms to 35 ms, consistent with the limit set by motional heating. Our results provide both a clear characterization of periodic motional-mode noise and a practical framework for its suppression in trapped-ion quantum computing platforms.