Ion trap arrays for scalable quantum computing

由于量子计算机等新量子技术的出现，量子力学将实现强大的应用。由于强大的算法的存在，这样的设备可能会提供突破性的商业和国家安全应用，它的存在将彻底改变现代科学，因为它允许对系统进行真正的量子模拟，而这些系统可能由于当前计算机技术的原则上限制而无法进行经典建模。最近在捕获单原子离子的实验中取得的进展表明，利用这种技术建造量子计算机应该是可能的。一个主要的挑战是现有技术的扩展超出了量子比特的令牌数量。这项研究将解决复杂阵列中单个原子的操纵问题，作为量子计算机的架构，此外，将致力于允许对此类阵列中大量单个原子进行前所未有的运动控制。单个原子离子将被电场捕获，在一个复杂的陷阱电极阵列中穿梭，并使用激光束进行操纵。我们将开发技术，以保持和控制原子穿梭操作沿着复杂的路径在阵列。此外，我们将研究使用先进的纳米制造技术来设计这种阵列的方法。

Quantum mechanics will enable powerful applications due to the emergence of new quantum technologies such as the quantum computer. While such a device will likely provide ground breaking commercial and national security applications due to the existence of powerful algorithms, its existence will revolutionize modern day science by allowing true quantum simulations of systems that may be modeled classically only insufficiently due to an in-principle limitation of current computer technology. Recent progress in experiments with trapped single atomic ions shows that it should be possible to build a quantum computer using this technology. A major challenge is the scaling of already existing technology beyond a token number of quantum bits. This research will address the manipulation of single atoms in complicated arrays as an architecture for a quantum computer and furthermore, will aim to allow for unprecedented motional control of a large number of single atoms inside such arrays. Single atomic ions will be trapped using electric fields, shuttled inside a complicated array of trap electrodes and manipulated using laser beams. We will develop techniques to retain and control atoms during shuttling operations along complicated paths inside the array. Furthermore, we will investigate ways to engineer such arrays using advanced nanofabrication technology.