Abstract
Trapped-ion systems are serious contenders for making quantum computers and simulators. Such systems could well be better than their classical counterparts at solving certain problems, such as simulation of superconductivity. Actually realising this potential, however, presents a number of challenges. Notably, one needs to rethink traditional ways of building and operating traps. Going beyond macroscopic traps holding a one-dimensional string in a single, harmonic potential, one can consider microscopic traps holding two-dimensional arrays of ions in multiple, possibly anharmonic, potentials. Under such circumstances, it can no longer be assumed that a trapped ion is (to a sufficiently good approximation) an isolated, unperturbed, harmonic quantum system. Rather, the non-ideal aspects of the trap must be understood and either eliminated or accounted for.
This talk outlines work carried out in Innsbruck to meet these challenges, and pave the way to more scalable architectures for trapped-ion quantum simulators. The first part of the talk presents work to realise arrays of ion traps in one and two dimensions. Achieving such arrays has necessitated the development of new trap geometries and fabrication methods, as well as different technologies for the attendant electronics. The second section of this talk recounts various investigations of perturbations due to unwanted electric fields (both static and at radio-frequencies). It shows how these can be characterised, understood, and mitigated.
Coffee and tea will be served 20 minutes prior to the seminar.
Anyone interested is welcome to attend.