Technology for On-Chip Qubit Control with Microfabricated Surface Ion Traps
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States), Clark Highstrete, USDOE Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, Sean Scott, Christopher Nordquist, Jonathan Sterk, Peter Maunz, Christopher Tigges, Matthew G. Blain, Edwin J. Heller, James L. Stevens · 2013
Trapped atomic ions are a leading physical system for quantum information processing. However, scalability and operational fidelity remain limiting technical issues often associated with optical qubit control. One promising approach is to develop on-chip microwave electronic control of ion qubits based on the atomic hyperfine interaction. This project developed expertise and capabilities at Sandia toward on-chip electronic qubit control in a scalable architecture. The project developed a foundation of laboratory capabilities, including trapping the 171Yb+ hyperfine ion qubit and developing an experimental microwave coherent control capability. Additionally, the project investigated the integration of microwave device elements with surface ion traps utilizing Sandia’s state-of-the-art MEMS microfabrication processing. This effort culminated in a device design for a multi-purpose ion trap experimental platform for investigating on-chip microwave qubit control, laying the groundwork for further funded R&D to develop on-chip microwave qubit control in an architecture that is suitable to engineering development.