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D. Heinrich, M. Guggemos, M. Guevara-Bertsch, M. I. Hussain, C. F. Roos, R. Blatt Ultrafast coherent excitation of a Ca+ ion,
New J. Phys. 21 73017 (2019-07-01),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/ab2a7e doi:10.1088/1367-2630/ab2a7e (ID: 720108)
Toggle Abstract
Trapped ions are a well-studied and promising system for the realization of a scalable quantum computer. Faster quantum gates would greatly improve the applicability of such a system and allow for greater flexibility in the number of calculation steps. In this paper we present a pulsed laser system, delivering picosecond pulses at a repetition rate of 5 GHz and resonant to the S1/2 to P3/2 transition in Ca+ for coherent population transfer to implement fast phase gate operations. The optical pulse train is derived from a mode-locked, stabilized optical frequency comb and inherits its frequency stability. Using a single trapped ion, we implement three different techniques for measuring the ion-laser coupling strength and characterizing the pulse train emitted by the laser, and show how all requirements can be met for an implementation of a fast phase gate operation.
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C. Kokail, C. Maier, R. van Bijnen, T. Brydges, M. K. Joshi, P. Jurcevic, C. A. Muschik, P. Silvi, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos, P. Zoller Self-verifying variational quantum simulation of lattice models,
Nature 569 360 (2019-05-15),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1177-4 doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1177-4 (ID: 720076)
Toggle Abstract
Hybrid classical-quantum algorithms aim at variationally solving optimisation problems, using a feedback loop between a classical computer and a quantum co-processor, while benefitting from quantum resources. Here we present experiments demonstrating self-verifying, hybrid, variational quantum simulation of lattice models in condensed matter and high-energy physics. Contrary to analog quantum simulation, this approach forgoes the requirement of realising the targeted Hamiltonian directly in the laboratory, thus allowing the study of a wide variety of previously intractable target models. Here, we focus on the Lattice Schwinger model, a gauge theory of 1D quantum electrodynamics. Our quantum co-processor is a programmable, trapped-ion analog quantum simulator with up to 20 qubits, capable of generating families of entangled trial states respecting symmetries of the target Hamiltonian. We determine ground states, energy gaps and, by measuring variances of the Schwinger Hamiltonian, we provide algorithmic error bars for energies, thus addressing the long-standing challenge of verifying quantum simulation.
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M. Mamaev, R. Blatt, J. Ye, A. M. Rey Cluster State Generation with Spin-Orbit Coupled Fermionic Atoms in Optical Lattices,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 122 160402 (2019-04-27),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.160402 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.160402 (ID: 720107)
Toggle Abstract
Measurement-based quantum computation, an alternative paradigm for quantum information processing, uses simple measurements on qubits prepared in cluster states, a class of multiparty entangled states with useful properties. Here we propose and analyze a scheme that takes advantage of the interplay between spin-orbit coupling and superexchange interactions, in the presence of a coherent drive, to deterministically generate macroscopic arrays of cluster states in fermionic alkaline earth atoms trapped in three dimensional (3D) optical lattices. The scheme dynamically generates cluster states without the need of engineered transport, and is robust in the presence of holes, a typical imperfection in cold atom Mott insulators. The protocol is of particular relevance for the new generation of 3D optical lattice clocks with coherence times >10 s, two orders of magnitude larger than the cluster state generation time. We propose the use of collective measurements and time-reversal of the Hamiltonian to benchmark the underlying Ising model dynamics and the generated many-body correlations.
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T. Brydges, A. Elben, P. Jurcevic, B. Vermersch, C. Maier, B. P. Lanyon, P. Zoller, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Probing Renyi entanglement entropy via randomized measurements,
Science 364 260 (2019-04-19),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aau4963 doi:10.1126/science.aau4963 (ID: 720034)
Toggle Abstract
Entanglement is the key feature of many-body quantum systems, and the development of new tools to probe it in the laboratory is an outstanding challenge. Measuring the entropy of different partitions of a quantum system provides a way to probe its entanglement structure. Here, we present and experimentally demonstrate a new protocol for measuring entropy, based on statistical correlations between randomized measurements. Our experiments, carried out with a trapped-ion quantum simulator, prove the overall coherent character of the system dynamics and reveal the growth of entanglement between its parts - both in the absence and presence of disorder. Our protocol represents a universal tool for probing and characterizing engineered quantum systems in the laboratory, applicable to arbitrary quantum states of up to several tens of qubits.
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C. Maier, T. Brydges, P. Jurcevic, N. Trautmann, C. Hempel, B. P. Lanyon, P. Hauke, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Environment-assisted quantum transport in a 10-qubit network,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 122 50501 (2019-02-08),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.050501 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.050501 (ID: 720065)
Toggle Abstract
The way in which energy is transported through an interacting system governs fundamental properties in many areas of physics, chemistry, and biology. Remarkably, environmental noise can enhance the transport, an effect known as environment-assisted quantum transport (ENAQT). In this paper, we study ENAQT in a network of coupled spins subject to engineered static disorder and temporally varying dephasing noise. The interacting spin network is realized in a chain of trapped atomic ions and energy transport is represented by the transfer of electronic excitation between ions. With increasing noise strength, we observe a crossover from coherent dynamics and Anderson localization to ENAQT and finally a suppression of transport due to the quantum Zeno effect. We found that in the regime where ENAQT is most effective the transport is mainly diffusive, displaying coherences only at very short times. Further, we show that dephasing characterized by non-Markovian noise can maintain coherences longer than white noise dephasing, with a strong influence of the spectral structure on the transport effciency. Our approach represents a controlled and scalable way to investigate quantum transport in many-body networks under static disorder and dynamic noise.
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L. Postler, A. Rivas, P. Schindler, A. Erhardt, R. Stricker, D. Nigg, T. Monz, R. Blatt, M. Müller Experimental quantification of spatial correlations in quantum dynamics,
Quantum 2 90 (2018-09-03),
http://dx.doi.org/10.22331/q-2018-09-03-90 doi:10.22331/q-2018-09-03-90 (ID: 720164)
Toggle Abstract
Correlations between different partitions of quantum systems play a central role in a variety of many-body quantum systems, and they have been studied exhaustively in experimental and theoretical research. Here, we investigate dynamical correlations in the time evolution of multiple parts of a composite quantum system. A rigorous measure to quantify correlations in quantum dynamics based on a full tomographic reconstruction of the quantum process has been introduced recently [Á. Rivas et al., New Journal of Physics, 17(6) 062001 (2015).]. In this work, we derive a lower bound for this correlation measure, which does not require full knowledge of the quantum dynamics. Furthermore we also extend the correlation measure to multipartite systems. We directly apply the developed methods to a trapped ion quantum information processor to experimentally characterize the correlations in quantum dynamics for two- and four-qubit systems. The method proposed and demonstrated in this work is scalable, platform-independent and applicable to other composite quantum systems and quantum information processing architectures. We apply the method to estimate spatial correlations in environmental noise processes, which are crucial for the performance of quantum error correction procedures.
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C. Hempel, C. Maier, J. Romero, J. McClean, T. Monz, H. Shen, P. Jurcevic, B. P. Lanyon, P. Love, R. Babbush, A. Aspuru-Guzik, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Quantum chemistry calculations on a trapped-ion quantum simulator,
Phys. Rev. X 8 31022 (2018-07-24),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.8.031022 doi:10.1103/PhysRevX.8.031022 (ID: 720003)
Toggle Abstract
Quantum-classical hybrid algorithms are emerging as promising candidates for near-term practical applications of quantum information processors in a wide variety of fields ranging from chemistry to physics and materials science. We report on the experimental implementation of such an algorithm to solve a quantum chemistry problem, using a digital quantum simulator based on trapped ions. Specifically, we implement the variational quantum eigensolver algorithm to calculate the molecular ground state energies of two simple molecules and experimentally demonstrate and compare different encoding methods using up to four qubits. Furthermore, we discuss the impact of measurement noise as well as mitigation strategies and indicate the potential for adaptive implementations focused on reaching chemical accuracy, which may serve as a cross-platform benchmark for multi-qubit quantum simulators.
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G. Araneda, D. Higginbottom, L. Slodicka, Y. Colombe, R. Blatt Interference of Single Photons Emitted by Entangled Atoms in Free Space,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 120 193603 (2018-05-11),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.193603 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.193603 (ID: 720162)
Toggle Abstract
The generation and manipulation of entanglement between isolated particles has precipitated rapid progress in quantum information processing. Entanglement is also known to play an essential role in the optical properties of atomic ensembles, but fundamental effects in the controlled emission and absorption from small, well-defined numbers of entangled emitters in free space have remained unobserved. Here we present the control of the emission rate of a single photon from a pair of distant, entangled atoms into a free-space optical mode. Changing the length of the optical path connecting the atoms modulates the single-photon emission rate in the selected mode with a visibility V=0.27±0.03 determined by the degree of entanglement shared between the atoms, corresponding directly to the concurrence Cρ=0.31±0.10 of the prepared state. This scheme, together with population measurements, provides a fully optical determination of the amount of entanglement. Furthermore, large sensitivity of the interference phase evolution points to applications of the presented scheme in high-precision gradient sensing.
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N. Friis, O. Marty, C. Maier, C. Hempel, M. Holzapfel, P. Jurcevic, M. Plenio, M. Huber, C. F. Roos, R. Blatt, B. P. Lanyon Observation of Entangled States of a Fully Controlled 20-Qubit System,
Phys. Rev. X 8 21012 (2018-04-10),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.8.021012 doi:10.1103/PhysRevX.8.021012 (ID: 720009)
Toggle Abstract
We generate and characterize entangled states of a register of 20 individually controlled qubits, where each qubit is encoded into the electronic state of a trapped atomic ion. Entanglement is generated amongst the qubits during the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of an Ising-type Hamiltonian, engineered via laser fields. Since the qubit-qubit interactions decay with distance, entanglement is generated at early times predominantly between neighboring groups of qubits. We characterize entanglement between these groups by designing and applying witnesses for genuine multipartite entanglement. Our results show that, during the dynamical evolution, all neighboring qubit pairs, triplets, most quadruplets, and some quintuplets simultaneously develop genuine multipartite entanglement. Witnessing genuine multipartite entanglement in larger groups of qubits in our system remains an open challenge.
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A. Bermudez, X. Xu, R. Nigmatullin, J. O’Gorman, V. Negnevitsky, P. Schindler, T. Monz, U. Poschinger, C. Hempel, J. Home, F. Schmidt-Kaler, M. Biercuk, R. Blatt, S. Benjamin, M. Müller Assessing the Progress of Trapped-Ion Processors Towards Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computation,
Phys. Rev. X 7 41061 (2017-12-17),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.7.041061 doi:10.1103/PhysRevX.7.041061 (ID: 719935)
Toggle Abstract
A quantitative assessment of the progress of small prototype quantum processors towards fault-tolerant quantum computation is a problem of current interest in experimental and theoretical quantum information science. We introduce a necessary and fair criterion for quantum error correction (QEC), which must be achieved in the development of these quantum processors before their sizes are sufficiently big to consider the well-known QEC threshold. We apply this criterion to benchmark the ongoing effort in implementing QEC with topological color codes using trapped-ion quantum processors and, more importantly, to guide the future hardware developments that will be required in order to demonstrate beneficial QEC with small topological quantum codes. In doing so, we present a thorough description of a realistic trapped-ion toolbox for QEC and a physically motivated error model that goes beyond standard simplifications in the QEC literature. We focus on laser-based quantum gates realized in two-species trapped-ion crystals in high-optical aperture segmented traps. Our large-scale numerical analysis shows that, with the foreseen technological improvements described here, this platform is a very promising candidate for fault-tolerant quantum computation.
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B. P. Lanyon, C. Maier, M. Holzapfel, T. Baumgratz, C. Hempel, P. Jurcevic, I. Dhand, A. S. Buyskik, A. J. Daley, M. Cramer, M. Plenio, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Efficient tomography of a quantum many-body system,
Nature Phys. 13 1158 (2017-12-05),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphys4244 doi:10.1038/nphys4244 (ID: 719716)
Toggle Abstract
Quantum state tomography (QST) is the gold standard technique for obtaining an estimate for the state of small quantum systems in the laboratory. Its application to systems with more than a few constituents (e.g. particles) soon becomes impractical as the effort required grows exponentially in the number of constituents. Developing more efficient techniques is particularly pressing as precisely-controllable quantum systems that are well beyond the reach of QST are emerging in laboratories. Motivated by this, there is a considerable ongoing effort to develop new characterisation tools for quantum many-body systems. Here we demonstrate Matrix Product State (MPS) tomography, which is theoretically proven to allow the states of a broad class of quantum systems to be accurately estimated with an effort that increases efficiently with constituent number. We first prove that this broad class includes the out-of-equilbrium states produced by 1D systems with finite-range interactions, up to any fixed point in time. We then use the technique to reconstruct the dynamical state of a trapped-ion quantum simulator comprising up to 14 entangled spins (qubits): a size far beyond the reach of QST. Our results reveal the dynamical growth of entanglement and description complexity as correlations spread out during a quench: a necessary condition for future beyond-classical performance. MPS tomography should find widespread use to study large quantum many-body systems and to benchmark and verify quantum simulators and computers.
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A. Bermudez, P. Schindler, T. Monz, R. Blatt, M. Müller Micromotion-enabled improvement of quantum logic gates with trapped ions,
New J. Phys. 19 113038 (2017-11-24),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/aa86eb doi:10.1088/1367-2630/aa86eb (ID: 719937)
Toggle Abstract
The micromotion of ion crystals confined in Paul traps is usually considered an inconvenient nuisance, and is thus typically minimized in high-precision experiments such as high-fidelity quantum gates for quantum information processing (QIP). In this work, we introduce a particular scheme where this behavior can be reversed, making micromotion beneficial for QIP. We show that using laser-driven micromotion sidebands, it is possible to engineer state-dependent dipole forces with a reduced effect of off-resonant couplings to the carrier transition. This allows one, in a certain parameter regime, to devise entangling gate schemes based on geometric phase gates with both a higher speed and a lower error, which is attractive in light of current efforts towards fault-tolerant QIP. We discuss the prospects of reaching the parameters required to observe this micromotion-enabled improvement in experiments with current and future trap designs.
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C. A. Muschik, M. Heyl, E. A. Martínez, T. Monz, P. Schindler, B. Vogell, M. Dalmonte, P. Hauke, R. Blatt, P. Zoller U(1) Wilson lattice gauge theories in digital quantum simulators,
New J. Phys. 19 103020 (2017-10-20),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/aa89ab doi:10.1088/1367-2630/aa89ab (ID: 719936)
Toggle Abstract
Lattice gauge theories describe fundamental phenomena in nature, but calculating their real-time dynamics on classical computers is notoriously difficult. In a recent publication (Martinez et al 2016 Nature 534 516), we proposed and experimentally demonstrated a digital quantum simulation of the paradigmatic Schwinger model, a U(1)-Wilson lattice gauge theory describing the interplay between fermionic matter and gauge bosons. Here, we provide a detailed theoretical analysis of the performance and the potential of this protocol. Our strategy is based on analytically integrating out the gauge bosons, which preserves exact gauge invariance but results in complicated long-range interactions between the matter fields. Trapped-ion platforms are naturally suited to implementing these interactions, allowing for an efficient quantum simulation of the model, with a number of gate operations that scales polynomially with system size. Employing numerical simulations, we illustrate that relevant phenomena can be observed in larger experimental systems, using as an example the production of particle–antiparticle pairs after a quantum quench. We investigate theoretically the robustness of the scheme towards generic error sources, and show that near-future experiments can reach regimes where finite-size effects are insignificant. We also discuss the challenges in quantum simulating the continuum limit of the theory. Using our scheme, fundamental phenomena of lattice gauge theories can be probed using a broad set of experimentally accessible observables, including the entanglement entropy and the vacuum persistence amplitude.
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P. Jurcevic, H. Shen, P. Hauke, C. Maier, T. Brydges, C. Hempel, B. P. Lanyon, M. Heyl, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Direct observation of dynamical quantum phase transitions in an interacting many-body system,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 119 80501 (2017-08-21),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.080501 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.080501 (ID: 719714)
Toggle Abstract
Dynamical quantum phase transitions (DQPTs) extend the concept of phase transitions and thus universality
to the non-equilibrium regime. In this letter, we investigate DQPTs in a string of ions simulating interacting transverse-field Ising models. We observe non-equilibrium dynamics induced by a quantum quench and show for strings of up to 10 ions the direct detection of DQPTs by measuring a quantity that becomes non-analytic in time in the thermodynamic limit. Moreover, we provide a link between DQPTs and the dynamics of other relevant quantities such as the magnetization, and we establish a connection between DQPTs and entanglement production.
(local copy)
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C. A. Riofrio, D. Gross, S. Flammia, T. Monz, D. Nigg, R. Blatt, J. Eisert Experimental quantum compressed sensing for a seven-qubit system,
Nat. Commun. 8 15305 (2017-05-17),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1530 doi:10.1038/ncomms1530 (ID: 719934)
Toggle Abstract
Well-controlled quantum devices with their increasing system size face a new roadblock hindering further development of quantum technologies. The effort of quantum tomography—the reconstruction of states and processes of a quantum device—scales unfavourably: state-of-the-art systems can no longer be characterized. Quantum compressed sensing mitigates this problem by reconstructing states from incomplete data. Here we present an experimental implementation of compressed tomography of a seven-qubit system—a topological colour code prepared in a trapped ion architecture. We are in the highly incomplete—127 Pauli basis measurement settings—and highly noisy—100 repetitions each—regime. Originally, compressed sensing was advocated for states with few non-zero eigenvalues. We argue that low-rank estimates are appropriate in general since statistical noise enables reliable reconstruction of only the leading eigenvectors. The remaining eigenvectors behave consistently with a random-matrix model that carries no information about the true state.
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E. A. Martínez, C. A. Muschik, P. Schindler, D. Nigg, A. Erhard, M. Heyl, P. Hauke, M. Dalmonte, T. Monz, P. Zoller, R. Blatt Real-time dynamics of lattice gauge theories with a few-qubit quantum computer,
Nature 534 519 (2016-06-22),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature18318 doi:10.1038/nature18318 (ID: 719563)
Toggle Abstract
Gauge theories are fundamental to our understanding of interactions between the elementary constituents of matter as mediated by gauge bosons. However, computing the real-time dynamics in gauge theories is a notorious challenge for classical computational methods. In the spirit of Feynman's vision of a quantum simulator, this has recently stimulated theoretical effort to devise schemes for simulating such theories on engineered quantum-mechanical devices, with the difficulty that gauge invariance and the associated local conservation laws (Gauss laws) need to be implemented. Here we report the first experimental demonstration of a digital quantum simulation of a lattice gauge theory, by realising 1+1-dimensional quantum electrodynamics (Schwinger model) on a few-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer. We are interested in the real-time evolution of the Schwinger mechanism, describing the instability of the bare vacuum due to quantum fluctuations, which manifests itself in the spontaneous creation of electron-positron pairs. To make efficient use of our quantum resources, we map the original problem to a spin model by eliminating the gauge fields in favour of exotic long-range interactions, which have a direct and efficient implementation on an ion trap architecture. We explore the Schwinger mechanism of particle-antiparticle generation by monitoring the mass production and the vacuum persistence amplitude. Moreover, we track the real-time evolution of entanglement in the system, which illustrates how particle creation and entanglement generation are directly related. Our work represents a first step towards quantum simulating high-energy theories with atomic physics experiments, the long-term vision being the extension to real-time quantum simulations of non-Abelian lattice gauge theories.
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R. Lechner, C. Maier, C. Hempel, P. Jurcevic, B. P. Lanyon, T. Monz, M. Brownnutt, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Electromagnetically-induced-transparency ground-state cooling of long ion strings,
Phys. Rev. A 93 53401 (2016-03-18),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.93.053401 doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.93.053401 (ID: 719536)
Toggle Abstract
Electromagnetically-induced-transparency (EIT) cooling is a ground-state cooling technique for trapped particles. EIT offers a broader cooling range in frequency space compared to more established methods. In this work, we experimentally investigate EIT cooling in strings of trapped atomic ions. In strings of up to 18 ions, we demonstrate simultaneous ground-state cooling of all radial modes in under 1 ms. This is a particularly important capability in view of emerging quantum simulation experiments with large numbers of trapped ions. Our analysis of the EIT cooling dynamics is based on a technique enabling single-shot measurements of phonon numbers, by rapid adiabatic passage on a vibrational sideband of a narrow transition.
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D. Nigg, T. Monz, P. Schindler, E. A. Martínez, M. Hennrich, R. Blatt, M. F. Pusey, T. Rudolph, J. Barrett Can different quantum state vectors correspond to the same physical state? An experimental test,
New J. Phys. 18 13007 (2016-03-04),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/18/1/013007 doi:10.1088/1367-2630/18/1/013007 (ID: 719518)
Toggle Abstract
A century after the development of quantum theory, the interpretation of a quantum state is still discussed. If a physicist claims to have produced a system with a particular quantum state vector, does this represent directly a physical property of the system, or is the state vector merely a summary of the physicist's information about the system? Assume that a state vector corresponds to a probability distribution over possible values of an unknown physical or 'ontic' state. Then, a recent no-go theorem shows that distinct state vectors with overlapping distributions lead to predictions different from quantum theory. We report an experimental test of these predictions using trapped ions. Within experimental error, the results confirm quantum theory. We analyse which kinds of models are ruled out.
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M. Kumph, c. Henkel, P. Rabl, M. Brownnutt, R. Blatt Electric-field noise above a thin dielectric layer on metal electrodes,
New J. Phys. 18 23020 (2016-03-04),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/18/2/023020 doi:10.1088/1367-2630/18/2/023020 (ID: 719519)
Toggle Abstract
The electric-field noise above a layered structure composed of a planar metal electrode covered by a thin dielectric is evaluated and it is found that the dielectric film considerably increases the noise level, in proportion to its thickness. Importantly, even a thin (mono) layer of a low-loss dielectric can enhance the noise level by several orders of magnitude compared to the noise above a bare metal. Close to this layered surface, the power spectral density of the electric field varies with the inverse fourth power of the distance to the surface, rather than with the inverse square, as it would above a bare metal surface. Furthermore, compared to a clean metal, where the noise spectrum does not vary with frequency (in the radio-wave and microwave bands), the dielectric layer can generate electric-field noise which scales in inverse proportion to the frequency. For various realistic scenarios, the noise levels predicted from this model are comparable to those observed in trapped-ion experiments. Thus, these findings are of particular importance for the understanding and mitigation of unwanted heating and decoherence in miniaturized ion traps.
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M. Kumph, P. Holz, K. Langer, M. R. Meraner, M. Niedermayr, M. Brownnutt, R. Blatt Operation of a planar-electrode ion-trap array with adjustable RF electrodes,
New J. Phys. 18 23047 (2016-03-04),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/18/2/023047 doi:10.1088/1367-2630/18/2/023047 (ID: 719520)
Toggle Abstract
One path to realizing systems of trapped atomic ions suitable for large-scale quantum computing and simulation is to create a two-dimensional (2D) array of ion traps. Interactions between nearest-neighbouring ions could then be turned on and off by tuning the ions' relative positions and frequencies. We demonstrate and characterize the operation of a planar-electrode ion-trap array. By driving the trap with a network of phase-locked radio-frequency resonators which provide independently variable voltage amplitudes we vary the position and motional frequency of a Ca+ ion in two-dimensions within the trap array. Work on fabricating a miniaturised form of this 2D trap array is also described, which could ultimately provide a viable architecture for large-scale quantum simulations.
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T. Monz, D. Nigg, E. A. Martínez, M. F. Brandl, P. Schindler, R. Rines, S. Wang, I. L. Chuang, R. Blatt Realization of a scalable Shor algorithm,
Science 351 1070 (2016-03-04),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aad9480 doi:10.1126/science.aad9480 (ID: 719521)
Toggle Abstract
Certain algorithms for quantum computers are able to outperform their classical counterparts. In 1994, Peter Shor came up with a quantum algorithm that calculates the prime factors of a large number vastly more efficiently than a classical computer. For general scalability of such algorithms, hardware, quantum error correction, and the algorithmic realization itself need to be extensible. Here we present the realization of a scalable Shor algorithm, as proposed by Kitaev. We factor the number 15 by effectively employing and controlling seven qubits and four “cache qubits” and by implementing generalized arithmetic operations, known as modular multipliers. This algorithm has been realized scalably within an ion-trap quantum computer and returns the correct factors with a confidence level exceeding 99%.
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M. Brownnutt, M. Kumph, P. Rabl, R. Blatt Ion-trap measurements of electric-field noise near surfaces,
Rev. Mod. Phys. 87 1419 (2015-12-22),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.87.1419 doi:10.1103/RevModPhys.87.1419 (ID: 719442)
Toggle Abstract
How can the electric noise in the vicinity of a metallic body be measured and understood? Trapped ions, known as unique tools for metrology and quantum information processing, also constitute very sensitive probes of this electric noise for distances from micrometers to millimeters. This paper presents various models for the origin of the electric noise, provides a critical review of the experimental findings, and summarizes the important questions that are still open in this active research area.
Electric-field noise near surfaces is a common problem in diverse areas of physics and a limiting factor for many precision measurements. There are multiple mechanisms by which such noise is generated, many of which are poorly understood. Laser-cooled, trapped ions provide one of the most sensitive systems to probe electric-field noise at MHz frequencies and over a distance range 30−3000 μm from a surface. Over recent years numerous experiments have reported spectral densities of electric-field noise inferred from ion heating-rate measurements and several different theoretical explanations for the observed noise characteristics have been proposed. This paper provides an extensive summary and critical review of electric-field noise measurements in ion traps and compares these experimental findings with known and conjectured mechanisms for the origin of this noise. This reveals that the presence of multiple noise sources, as well as the different scalings added by geometrical considerations, complicates the interpretation of these results. It is thus the purpose of this review to assess which conclusions can be reasonably drawn from the existing data, and which important questions are still open. In so doing it provides a framework for future investigations of surface-noise processes.
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B. Casabone, K. Friebe, B. Brandstätter, K. Schüppert, R. Blatt, T. E. Northup Enhanced Quantum Interface with Collective Ion-Cavity Coupling,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 114 023602 (2015-10-01),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.023602 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.023602 (ID: 719349)
Toggle Abstract
We prepare a maximally entangled state of two ions and couple both ions to the mode of an optical cavity. The phase of the entangled state determines the collective interaction of the ions with the cavity mode, that is, whether the emission of a single photon into the cavity is suppressed or enhanced. By adjusting this phase, we tune the ion-cavity system from sub- to superradiance. We then encode a single qubit in the two-ion superradiant state and show that this encoding enhances the transfer of quantum information onto a photon.
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M. Guggemos, D. Heinrich, Ó. A. Herrera, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Sympathetic cooling and detection of a hot trapped ion by a cold one,
New J. Phys. 17 103001 (2015-07-29),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/17/10/103001 doi:10.1088/1367-2630/17/10/103001 (ID: 719305)
Toggle Abstract
We investigate the dynamics of an ion sympathetically cooled by another laser-cooled ion or small ion crystal. To this end, we develop simple models of the cooling dynamics in the limit of weak Coulomb interactions. Experimentally, we create a two-ion crystal of Ca+ and Al+ by photo-ionization of neutral atoms produced by laser ablation. We characterize the velocity distribution of the laser-ablated atoms crossing the trap by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. We observe neutral atom velocities much higher than the ones of thermally heated samples and find as a consequence long sympathethic cooling times before crystallization occurs. Our key result is a new technique for detecting the loading of an initially hot ion with energy in the eV range by monitoring the motional state of a Doppler-cooled ion already present in the trap. This technique not only detects the ion but also provides information about the dynamics of the sympathetic cooling process.
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P. Jurcevic, P. Hauke, C. Maier, C. Hempel, B. P. Lanyon, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Spectroscopy of interacting quasiparticles in trapped ions,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 115 100501 (2015-05-11),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.100501 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.100501 (ID: 719241)
Toggle Abstract
The static and dynamic properties of many-body quantum systems are often well described by collective excitations, known as quasiparticles. Engineered quantum systems offer the opportunity to study such emergent phenomena in a precisely controlled and otherwise inaccessible way. We present a spectroscopic technique to study artificial quantum matter and use it for characterizing quasiparticles in a many-body system of trapped atomic ions. Our approach is to excite combinations of the system's fundamental quasiparticle eigenmodes, given by delocalised spin waves. By observing the dynamical response to superpositions of such eigenmodes, we extract the system dispersion relation, magnetic order, and even detect signatures of quasiparticle interactions. Our technique is not limited to trapped ions, and it is suitable for verifying quantum simulators by tuning them into regimes where the collective excitations have a simple form.
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B. Brandstätter, A. McClung, K. Schüppert, B. Casabone, K. Friebe, A. Stute, P. O. Schmidt, C. Deutsch , J. Reichel, R. Blatt, T. E. Northup Integrated fiber-mirror ion trap for strong ion-cavity coupling,
Review of Scientific Instruments (Print) 84 123104 (2013-12-17),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4838696 doi:10.1063/1.4838696 (ID: 718695)
Toggle Abstract
We present and characterize fiber mirrors and a miniaturized ion-trap design developed to integrate a fiber-based Fabry-Perot cavity (FFPC) with a linear Paul trap for use in cavity-QED experiments with trapped ions. Our fiber-mirror fabrication process not only enables the construction of FFPCs with small mode volumes, but also allows us to minimize the influence of the dielectric fiber mirrors on the trapped-ion pseudopotential. We discuss the effect of clipping losses for long FFPCs and the effect of angular and lateral displacements on the coupling efficiencies between cavity and fiber. Optical profilometry allows us to determine the radii of curvature and ellipticities of the fiber mirrors. From finesse measurements, we infer a single-atom cooperativity of up to 12 for FFPCs longer than 200 μm in length; comparison to cavities constructed with reference substrate mirrors produced in the same coating run indicates that our FFPCs have similar scattering losses. We characterize the birefringence of our fiber mirrors, finding that careful fiber-mirror selection enables us to construct FFPCs with degenerate polarization modes. As FFPCs are novel devices, we describe procedures developed for handling, aligning, and cleaning them. We discuss experiments to anneal fiber mirrors and explore the influence of the atmosphere under which annealing occurs on coating losses, finding that annealing under vacuum increases the losses for our reference substrate mirrors. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements indicate that these losses may be attributable to oxygen depletion in the mirror coating. Special design considerations enable us to introduce a FFPC into a trapped ion setup. Our unique linear Paul trap design provides clearance for such a cavity and is miniaturized to shield trapped ions from the dielectric fiber mirrors. We numerically calculate the trap potential in the absence of fibers. In the experiment additional electrodes can be used to compensate distortions of the potential due to the fibers. Home-built fiber feedthroughs connect the FFPC to external optics, and an integrated nanopositioning system affords the possibility of retracting or realigning the cavity without breaking vacuum.
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P. Schindler, D. Nigg, T. Monz, J. T. Barreiro, E. A. Martínez, S. Wang, S. Quint, M. F. Brandl, V. Nebendahl, C. F. Roos, M. Chwalla, M. Hennrich, R. Blatt A quantum information processor with trapped ions,
New J. Phys. 15 123012 (2013-12-06),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/15/12/123012 doi:10.1088/1367-2630/15/12/123012 (ID: 718676)
Toggle Abstract
Quantum computers hold the promise to solve certain problems exponentially faster than their classical counterparts. Trapped atomic ions are among the physical systems in which building such a computing device seems viable. In this work we present a small-scale quantum information processor based on a string of 40Ca+ ions confined in a macroscopic linear Paul trap. We review our set of operations which includes non-coherent operations allowing us to realize arbitrary Markovian processes. In order to build a larger quantum information processor it is mandatory to reduce the error rate of the available operations which is only possible if the physics of the noise processes is well understood. We identify the dominant noise sources in our system and discuss their effects on different algorithms. Finally we demonstrate how our entire set of operations can be used to facilitate the implementation of algorithms by examples of the quantum Fourier transform and the quantum order finding algorithm.
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B. P. Lanyon, P. Jurcevic, M. Zwerger, C. Hempel, E. A. Martínez, W. Dür, H. J. Briegel, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Measurement-based quantum computation with trapped ions,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 111 210501 (2013-11-19),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.210501 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.210501 (ID: 718582)
Toggle Abstract
Measurement-based quantum computation represents a powerful and flexible framework for quantum information processing, based on the notion of entangled quantum states as computational resources. The most prominent application is the one-way quantum computer, with the cluster state as its universal resource. Here we demonstrate the principles of measurement-based quantum computation using deterministically generated cluster states, in a system of trapped calcium ions. First we implement a universal set of operations for quantum computing. Second we demonstrate a family of measurement-based quantum error correction codes and show their improved performance as the code length is increased. The methods presented can be directly scaled up to generate graph states of several tens of qubits.
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G. Hétet, L. Slodicka, N. Röck, R. Blatt Free-space read-out and control of single-ion dispersion using quantum interference,
Phys. Rev. A 88 041804(R) (2013-10-24),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.88.041804 doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.88.041804 (ID: 718623)
Toggle Abstract
We perform a free-space measurement and control of the refractive index of a single trapped ion in the presence of quantum interference effects. The single atom refractive index is characterized by the Faraday rotation of a laser field tightly focused onto a trapped and laser-cooled barium ion. It is tuned using the internal ion state that is optically controlled via a V or a Λ scheme. Measurements of the phase shift associated with an electromagnetically induced transparency are then performed and the internal state on the qubit transition is read-out with a detection fidelity of (98±1)%.
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B. P. Lanyon, P. Jurcevic, C. Hempel, M. Gessner, V. Vedral, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Experimental generation of quantum discord via noisy processes,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 111 100504 (2013-09-06),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.100504 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.100504 (ID: 718585)
Toggle Abstract
Quantum systems in mixed states can be unentangled and yet still non-classically correlated. These correlations can be quantified by the quantum discord and might provide a resource for quantum information processing tasks. By precisely controlling the interaction of two ionic-qubits with their environment, we investigate the capability of noise to generate discord. Firstly we show that noise acting only one quantum system can generate discord between two. States generated in this way are restricted in terms of the rank of their correlation matrix. Secondly we show that classically-correlated noise processes are capable of generating a much broader range of discordant states, with correlation matrices of any rank. Our results show that noise processes, prevalent in many physical systems, can automatically generate non-classical correlations and highlight fundamental differences between discord and entanglement.
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J. T. Barreiro, J. Bancal, P. Schindler, D. Nigg, M. Hennrich, T. Monz, N. Gisin, R. Blatt Demonstration of genuine multipartite entanglement with device-independent witnesses,
Nature Phys. 9 562 (2013-08-04),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphys2705 doi:10.1038/nphys2705 (ID: 718862)
Toggle Abstract
Entanglement in a quantum system can be demonstrated experimentally by performing the measurements prescribed by an appropriate entanglement witness. However, the unavoidable mismatch between the implementation of measurements in practical devices and their precise theoretical modelling generally results in the undesired possibility of false-positive entanglement detection. Such scenarios can be avoided by using the recently developed device-independent entanglement witnesses (DIEWs) for genuine multipartite entanglement. Similarly to Bell inequalities, the only assumption of DIEWs is that consistent measurements are performed locally on each subsystem. No precise description of the measurement devices is required. Here we report an experimental test of DIEWs on up to six entangled 40Ca+ ions. We also demonstrate genuine multipartite quantum nonlocality between up to six parties with the detection loophole closed.
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C. Hempel, B. P. Lanyon, P. Jurcevic, R. Gerritsma, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Entanglement-enhanced detection of single-photon scattering events,
Nature Photon. 7 633 (2013-07-30),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2013.172 doi:10.1038/nphoton.2013.172 (ID: 718575)
Toggle Abstract
The ability to detect the interaction of light and matter at the single-particle level is becoming increasingly important for many areas of science and technology. The absorption or emission of a photon on a narrow transition of a trapped ion can be detected with near unit probability, thereby enabling the realization of ultra-precise ion clocks and quantum information processing applications. Extending this sensitivity to broad transitions is challenging due to the difficulty of detecting the rapid photon scattering events in this case. Here, we demonstrate a technique to detect the scattering of a single photon on a broad optical transition with high sensitivity. Our approach is to use an entangled state to amplify the tiny momentum kick an ion receives upon scattering a photon. The method should find applications in spectroscopy of atomic and molecular ions and quantum information processing.
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P. Schindler, M. Müller, D. Nigg, J. T. Barreiro, E. A. Martínez, M. Hennrich, T. Monz, S. Diehl, P. Zoller, R. Blatt Quantum simulation of open-system dynamical maps with trapped ions,
Nature Phys. 9 367 (2013-05-19),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphys2630 doi:10.1038/nphys2630 (ID: 718325)
Toggle Abstract
Dynamical maps describe general transformations of the state of a physical system, and their iteration can be interpreted as generating a discrete time evolution. Prime examples include classical nonlinear systems undergoing transitions to chaos. Quantum mechanical counterparts show intriguing phenomena such as dynamical localization on the single particle level. Here we extend the concept of dynamical maps to an open-system, many-particle context: We experimentally explore the stroboscopic dynamics of a complex many-body spin model by means of a universal quantum simulator using up to five ions. In particular, we generate long-range phase coherence of spin by an iteration of purely dissipative quantum maps. We also demonstrate the characteristics of competition between combined coherent and dissipative non-equilibrium evolution. This opens the door for studying many-particle non-equilibrium physics and associated dynamical phase transitions with no immediate counterpart in equilibrium condensed matter systems. An error detection and reduction toolbox that facilitates the faithful quantum simulation of larger systems is developed as a first step in this direction.
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P. Bushev, G. Hétet, L. Slodicka, D. Rotter, M. A. Wilson, F. Schmidt-Kaler, J. Eschner, R. Blatt Shot-noise-limited monitoring and phase locking of the motion of a single trapped ion,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110 133602 (2013-03-27),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.133602 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.133602 (ID: 718471)
Toggle Abstract
We perform a high-resolution real-time readout of the motion of a single trapped and laser-cooled Ba ion. By using an interferometric setup, we demonstrate a shot-noise-limited measurement of thermal oscillations with a resolution of 4 times the standard quantum limit.We apply the real-time monitoring for phase control of the ion motion through a feedback loop, suppressing the photon recoil-induced phase diffusion. Because of the spectral narrowing in the phase-locked mode, the coherent ion oscillation is measured with a resolution of about 0.3 times the standard quantum limit
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A. Stute, B. Casabone, B. Brandstätter, K. Friebe, T. E. Northup, R. Blatt Quantum-state transfer from an ion to a photon,
Nature Photon. 7 222 (2013-02-27),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2012.358 doi:10.1038/nphoton.2012.358 (ID: 718446)
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L. Slodicka, G. Hétet, N. Röck, P. Schindler, M. Hennrich, R. Blatt Atom-atom entanglement by single-photon detection,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110 083603 (2013-02-22),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.083603 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.083603 (ID: 718441)
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P. Schindler, T. Monz, D. Nigg, J. T. Barreiro, E. A. Martínez, M. F. Brandl, M. Chwalla, M. Hennrich, R. Blatt Undoing a quantum measurement,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110 070403 (2013-02-14),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.070403 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.070403 (ID: 718428)
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D. Nigg, J. T. Barreiro, P. Schindler, M. Mohseni, T. Monz, M. Chwalla, M. Hennrich, R. Blatt Experimental Characterization of Quantum Dynamics Through Many-Body Interactions,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110 040603 (2013-02-06),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.060403 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.060403 (ID: 718422)
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G. Hétet, L. Slodicka, M. Hennrich, R. Blatt Single atom as a mirror of an optical cavity,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 107 133002 (2011-09-20),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.133002 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.133002 (ID: 717769)
Toggle Abstract
By tightly focussing a laser field onto a single cold ion trapped in front of a far-distant dielectric mirror, we could observe a quantum electrodynamic effect whereby the ion behaves as the optical mirror of a Fabry-P\'erot cavity. We show that the amplitude of the laser field is significantly altered due to a modification of the electromagnetic mode structure around the atom in a novel regime in which the laser intensity is already changed by the atom alone. e propose a direct application of this system as a quantum memory for single photons.
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B. P. Lanyon, C. Hempel, D. Nigg, M. Müller, R. Gerritsma, F. Zähringer, P. Schindler, J. T. Barreiro, M. Rambach, G. Kirchmair, M. Hennrich, P. Zoller, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Universal Digital Quantum Simulation with Trapped Ions,
Science 334 57 (2011-09-01),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1208001 doi:10.1126/science.1208001 (ID: 717768)
Toggle Abstract
A digital quantum simulator is an envisioned quantum device that can be programmed to efficiently simulate any other local system. We demonstrate and investigate the digital approach to quantum simulation in a system of trapped ions. Using sequences of up to 100 gates and 6 qubits, the full-time dynamics of a range of spin systems are digitally simulated. Interactions beyond those naturally present in our simulator are accurately reproduced, and quantitative bounds are provided for the overall simulation quality. Our results demonstrate the key principles of digital quantum simulation and provide evidence that the level of control required for a full-scale device is within reach.
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M. Kumph, M. Brownnutt, R. Blatt Two-dimensional arrays of radio-frequency ion traps with addressable interactions,
New J. Phys. 13 073043 (2011-08-25),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/13/7/073043 doi:10.1088/1367-2630/13/7/073043 (ID: 717756)
Toggle Abstract
We describe the advantages of two-dimensional (2D), addressable arrays of spherical Paul traps. They would provide the ability to address and tailor the interaction strengths of trapped objects in 2D and could be a valuable new tool for quantum information processing. Simulations of trapping ions are compared to first tests utilizing printed circuit board trap arrays loaded with dust particles. Pair-wise interactions in the array are addressed by means of an adjustable radio-frequency (RF) electrode shared between trapping sites. By attenuating this RF electrode potential, neighboring pairs of trapped objects have their interaction strength increased and are moved closer to one another. In the limit of the adjustable electrode being held at RF ground, the two formerly spherical traps are merged into one linear Paul trap.
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R. Blatt Spin flips of a single proton,
Nature 475 298 (2011-07-31),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/475298a doi:10.1038/475298a (ID: 717908)
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P. Schindler, J. T. Barreiro, T. Monz, V. Nebendahl, D. Nigg, M. Chwalla, M. Hennrich, R. Blatt Experimental repetitive quantum error correction,
Science 332 1059 (2011-05-27),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1203329 doi:10.1126/science.1203329 (ID: 717685)
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M. Harlander, R. Lechner, M. Brownnutt, R. Blatt, W. Hänsel Trapped-ion antennae for the transmission of quantum information,
Nature 471 203 (2011-04-05),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature09800 doi:10.1038/nature09800 (ID: 717659)
Toggle Abstract
More than one hundred years ago Heinrich Hertz succeeded in transmitting signals over a few meters to a receiving antenna using an electromagnetic oscillator and thus proving the electromagnetic theory developed by James C. Maxwell[1]. Since then, technology has developed, and today a variety of oscillators is available at the quantum mechanical level. For quantized electromagnetic oscillations atoms in cavities can be used to couple electric fields[2, 3]. For mechanical oscillators realized, for example, with cantilevers[4, 5] or vibrational modes of trapped atoms[6] or ions[7, 8], a quantum mechanical link between two such oscillators has, to date, been demonstrated in very few cases and has only been achieved in indirect ways. Examples of this include the mechanical transport of atoms carrying the quantum information[9] or the use of spontaneously emitted photons[10]. In this work, direct coupling between the motional dipoles of separately trapped ions is achieved over a distance of 54 {\mu}m, using the dipole-dipole interaction as a quantum-mechanical transmission line[11]. This interaction is small between single trapped ions, but the coupling is amplified by using additional trapped ions as antennae. With three ions in each well the interaction is increased by a factor of seven as compared to the singleion case. This enhancement facilitates bridging of larger distances and relaxes the constraints on the miniaturization of trap electrodes. This represents a new building block for quantum computation and also offers new opportunities to couple quantum systems of different natures.
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T. Monz, P. Schindler, J. T. Barreiro, M. Chwalla, D. Nigg, B. Coish, M. Harlander, W. Hänsel, M. Hennrich, R. Blatt 14-qubit entanglement: creation and coherence,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 106 130506 (2011-04-05),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.130506 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.130506 (ID: 717660)
Toggle Abstract
We report the creation of Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states with up to 14 qubits. By investigating the coherence of up to 8 ions over time, we observe a decay proportional to the square of the number of qubits. The observed decay agrees with a theoretical model which assumes a system affected by correlated, Gaussian phase noise. This model holds for the majority of current experimental systems developed towards quantum computation and quantum metrology.
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J. T. Barreiro, M. Müller, P. Schindler, D. Nigg, T. Monz, M. Chwalla, M. Hennrich, C. F. Roos, P. Zoller, R. Blatt An open-system quantum simulator with trapped ions,
Nature 470 491 (2011-02-24),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature09801 doi:10.1038/nature09801 (ID: 717617)
Toggle Abstract
The control of quantum systems is of fundamental scientific interest and promises powerful applications and
technologies. Impressive progress has been achieved in isolating quantum systems from the environment and
coherently controlling their dynamics, as demonstrated by the creation and manipulation of entanglement in various
physical systems. However, for open quantum systems, engineering the dynamics of many particles by a controlled
coupling to an environment remains largely unexplored. Here we realize an experimental toolbox for simulating an open
quantum system with up to five quantum bits (qubits). Using a quantum computing architecture with trapped ions, we
combine multi-qubit gates with optical pumping to implement coherent operations and dissipative processes. We
illustrate our ability to engineer the open-system dynamics through the dissipative preparation of entangled states,
the simulation of coherent many-body spin interactions, and the quantum non-demolition measurement of multi-qubit
observables. By adding controlled dissipation to coherent operations, this work offers novel prospects for open-system
quantum simulation and computation.
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R. Gerritsma, B. P. Lanyon, G. Kirchmair, F. Zähringer, C. Hempel, J. Casanova, J. J. García-Ripoll, E. Solano, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Quantum simulation of the Klein paradox with trapped ions,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 106 060503 (2011-02-11),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.060503 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.060503 (ID: 717611)
Toggle Abstract
We report on quantum simulations of relativistic scattering dynamics using trapped ions. The simulated state of a scattering particle is encoded in both the electronic and vibrational state of an ion, representing the discrete and continuous components of relativistic wave functions. Multiple laser fields and an auxiliary ion simulate the dynamics generated by the Dirac equation in the presence of a scattering potential. Measurement and reconstruction of the particle wave packet enables a frame-by-frame visualization of the scattering processes. By precisely engineering a range of external potentials we are able to simulate text book relativistic scattering experiments and study Klein tunneling in an analogue quantum simulator. We describe extensions to solve problems that are beyond current classical computing capabilities.
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G. Hétet, L. Slodicka, A. Glätzle, M. Hennrich, R. Blatt QED with a spherical mirror,
Phys. Rev. A 063812 (2010-12-09),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.82.063812 doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.82.063812 (ID: 717398)
Toggle Abstract
We investigate the quantum electrodynamic (QED) properties of an atomic electron close to the focus of a spherical mirror. We first show that the spontaneous emission and excited-state level shift of the atom can be fully suppressed with mirror-atom distances of many wavelengths. A three-dimensional theory predicts that the spectral density of vacuum fluctuations can indeed vanish within a volume λ3 around the atom, with the use of a far-distant mirror covering only half of the atomic emission solid angle. The modification of these QED atomic properties is also computed as a function of the mirror size, and large effects are found for only moderate numerical apertures. We also evaluate the long-distance ground-state energy shift (Casimir-Polder shift) and find that it scales as (λ/R)2 at the focus of a hemispherical mirror of radius R, as opposed to the well-known (λ/R)4 scaling law for an atom at a distance R from an infinite plane mirror. Our results are relevant for investigations of QED effects as well as free-space coupling to single atoms using high-numerical-aperture lenses.
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J. T. Barreiro, P. Schindler, O. Gühne, T. Monz, M. Chwalla, C. F. Roos, M. Hennrich, R. Blatt Experimental multiparticle entanglement dynamics induced by decoherence,
Nature Phys. 6 943 (2010-12-02),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphys1781 doi:10.1038/nphys1781 (ID: 717355)
Toggle Abstract
Multiparticle entanglement leads to richer correlations than two-particle entanglement and gives rise to striking contradictions with local realism1, inequivalent classes of entanglement2 and applications such as one-way or topological quantum computing3, 4. When exposed to decohering or dissipative environments, multiparticle entanglement yields subtle dynamical features and access to new classes of states and applications. Here, using a string of trapped ions, we experimentally characterize the dynamics of entanglement of a multiparticle state under the influence of decoherence. By embedding an entangled state of four qubits in a decohering environment (through spontaneous decay), we observe a rich dynamics crossing distinctive domains: Bell-inequality violation, entanglement superactivation, bound entanglement and full separability. We also develop new theoretical tools for characterizing entanglement in quantum states. Recent quantum-computing, state-engineering and simulation paradigms driven by dissipative or decohering environments5, 6, 7 can benefit from the environment engineering techniques demonstrated here.
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M. Harlander, M. Brownnutt, R. Blatt Trapped-ion probing of light-induced charging effects on dielectrics,
12 093035 (2010-10-06),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/12/9/093035 doi:10.1088/1367-2630/12/9/093035 (ID: 717314)
Toggle Abstract
We use a string of confined 40Ca+ ions to measure perturbations to a trapping potential which are caused by the light-induced charging of an antireflection-coated window and of insulating patches on the ion-trap electrodes. The electric fields induced at the ions' position are characterized as a function of distance to the dielectric and as a function of the incident optical power and wavelength. The measurement of the ion-string position is sensitive to as few as 40 elementary charges per \sqrt{\rm Hz} on the dielectric at distances of the order of millimetres, and perturbations are observed for illuminations with light of wavelengths as large as 729 nm. This has important implications for the future of miniaturized ion-trap experiments, notably with regard to the choice of electrode material and the optics that must be integrated in the vicinity of the ion. The method presented here can be readily applied to the investigation of charging effects beyond the context of ion-trap experiments.
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T. Monz, P. Schindler, J. T. Barreiro, M. Chwalla, D. Nigg, B. Coish, M. Harlander, W. Hänsel, M. Hennrich, R. Blatt Electromagnetically Induced Transparency from a Single Atom in Free Space,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 105 153604 (2010-10-06),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.153604 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.153604 (ID: 717316)
Toggle Abstract
In this Letter, we report an absorption spectroscopy experiment and the observation of electromagnetically
induced transparency from a single trapped atom. We focus a weak and narrow band Gaussian light
beam onto an optically cooled 138Baþ ion using a high numerical aperture lens. Extinction of this beam is
observed with measured values of up to 1.35%.We demonstrate electromagnetically induced transparency
of the ion by tuning a strong control beam over a two-photon resonance in a three-level Lambda-type system.
The probe beam extinction is inhibited by more than 75% due to population trapping.
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F. Dubin, C. Russo, H. Barros, A. Stute, C. Becher, P. O. Schmidt, R. Blatt Quantum to classical transition in a single-ion laser,
Nature Phys. 6 350 (2010-03-29),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/NPHYS1627 doi:10.1038/NPHYS1627 (ID: 717177)
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A. Glätzle, K. Hammerer, A. J. Daley, R. Blatt, P. Zoller A single trapped atom in front of an oscillating mirror,
Opt. Com. 283 765 (2010-03-15),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.optcom.2009.10.063 doi:10.1016/j.optcom.2009.10.063 (ID: 717009)
Toggle Abstract
We investigate the Wigner–Weisskopf decay of a two-level atom in front of an oscillating mirror. This work builds on and extends previous theoretical and experimental studies of the effects of a static mirror on spontaneous decay and resonance fluorescence. The spontaneously emitted field is inherently non-stationary due to the time-dependent boundary conditions and in order to study its spectral distribution we employ the operational definition of the spectrum of non-stationary light due to the seminal work by Eberly and Wódkiewicz. We find a rich dependence of this spectrum as well as of the effective decay rates and level shifts on the mirror–atom distance and on the amplitude and frequency of the mirror’s oscillations. The results presented here provide the basis for future studies of more complex setups, where the motion of the atom and/or the mirror are included as quantum degrees of freedom.
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F. Zähringer, G. Kirchmair, R. Gerritsma, E. Solano, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Realization of a Quantum Walk with One and Two Trapped Ions,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 104 100503 (2010-03-09),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.100503 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.100503 (ID: 717148)
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R. Gerritsma, G. Kirchmair, F. Zähringer, E. Solano, R. Blatt, C. F. Roos Quantum simulation of the Dirac equation,
Nature 463 71 (2010-01-07),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature08688 doi:10.1038/nature08688 (ID: 716977)
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P. Zoller, T. Beth, D. Binosi, R. Blatt, H. J. Briegel, D. Bruss, T. Calarco, J. I. Cirac, D. Deutsch, J. Eisert, A. Ekert, C. Fabre, N. Gisin, P. Grangiere, M. Grassl, S. Haroche, A. Imamoglu, A. Karlson, J. Kempe, L. Louwenhofen, S. Kröll, G. Leuchs, M. Quantum information processing and communication,
Eur. Phys. J. D 36/2 203 - 228 (2005-11-01),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2005-00251-1 doi:10.1140/epjd/e2005-00251-1 (ID: 375863)
Toggle Abstract
We present an excerpt of the document “Quantum Information Processing and Communication: Strategic report on current status, visions and goals for research in Europe”, which has been recently published in electronic form at the website of FET (the Future and Emerging Technologies Unit of the Directorate General Information Society of the European Commission, http://www.cordis.lu/ist/fet/qipc-sr.htm). This document has been elaborated, following a former suggestion by FET, by a committee of QIPC scientists to provide input towards the European Commission for the preparation of the Seventh Framework Program. Besides being a document addressed to policy makers and funding agencies (both at the European and national level), the document contains a detailed scientific assessment of the state-of-the-art, main research goals, challenges, strengths, weaknesses, visions and perspectives of all the most relevant QIPC sub-fields, that we report here. Dedicated to the memory of Prof. Th. Beth, one of the pioneers of QIPC, whose contributions have had a significant scientific impact on the development as well as on the visibility of a field that he enthusiastically helped to shape since its early days.
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L. Tian, R. Blatt, P. Zoller Scalable ion trap quantum computing without moving ions,
Eur. Phys. J. D 32 201-208 (2005),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2004-00172-5 doi:10.1140/epjd/e2004-00172-5 (ID: 308239)
Toggle Abstract
A hybrid quantum computing scheme is studied where the hybrid qubit is made of an ion trap qubit serving as the information storage and a solid-state charge qubit serving as the quantum processor, connected by a superconducting cavity. In this paper, we extend our previous work [1] and study the decoherence, coupling and scalability of the hybrid system. We present our calculations of the decoherence of the coupled ion-charge system due to the charge fluctuations in the solid-state system and the dissipation of the superconducting cavity under laser radiation. A gate scheme that exploits rapid state flips of the charge qubit to reduce decoherence by the charge noise is designed. We also study a superconducting switch that is inserted between the cavity and the charge qubit and provides tunable coupling between the qubits. The scalability of the hybrid scheme is discussed together with several potential experimental obstacles in realizing this scheme.
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H. Häffner, W. Hänsel, C. Roos, J. Benhelm, D. Chek-al-Kar, M. Chwalla, T. Körber, U. D. Rapol, M. Riebe, P. O. Schmidt, C. Becher, O. Gühne, W. Dür, R. Blatt Scalable multi-particle entanglement of trapped ions,
Nature 438 646 (2005),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature04279 doi:10.1038/nature04279 (ID: 314190)
Toggle Abstract
The generation, manipulation and fundamental understanding of entanglement lies at the very heart of quantum mechanics. Entangled particles are non-interacting but are described by a common wavefunction; consequently, individual particles are not independent of each other and their quantum properties are inextricably interwoven. The intriguing features of entanglement become particularly evident if the particles can be individually controlled and physically separated. However, both the experimental realization and characterization of entanglement become exceedingly difficult for systems with many particles. The main difficulty is to manipulate and detect the quantum state of individual particles as well as to control the interaction between them. So far, entanglement of four ions or five photons has been demonstrated experimentally. The creation of scalable multiparticle entanglement demands a non-exponential scaling of resources with particle number. Among the various kinds of entangled states, the 'W state' plays an important role as its entanglement is maximally persistent and robust even under particle loss. Such states are central as a resource in quantum information processing and multiparty quantum communication. Here we report the scalable and deterministic generation of four-, five-, six-, seven- and eight-particle entangled states of the W type with trapped ions. We obtain the maximum possible information on these states by performing full characterization via state tomography, using individual control and detection of the ions. A detailed analysis proves that the entanglement is genuine. The availability of such multiparticle entangled states, together with full information in the form of their density matrices, creates a test-bed for theoretical studies of multiparticle entanglement. Independently, 'Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger' entangled states with up to six ions have been created and analysed in Boulder.
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H. Häffner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, W. Hänsel, C. Roos, T. Körber, M. Chwalla, J. Benhelm, U. D. Rapol, C. Becher, R. Blatt Robust Entanglement,
81 151 (2005),
(ID: 314806)
Toggle Abstract
It is common belief among physicists that entangled states of quantum
systems lose their coherence rather quickly. The reason is that any interaction with
the environment which distinguishes between the entangled sub-systems collapses
the quantum state. Here we investigate entangled states of two trapped Ca+ ions
and observe robust entanglement lasting for more than 20 s.
(local copy)
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A. Kreuter, C. Becher, G. Lancaster, A. B. Mundt, C. Russo, H. Häffner, C. Roos, W. Hänsel, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt, M. Safronova New experimental and theoretical approach to the 3d ²D-level lifetimes of ⁴⁰Ca⁺,
Phys. Rev. A 71 032504 (2005),
(ID: 314807)
(local copy)
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R. Blatt Ionen in Reih und Glied,
Physik Journal 4, Nr. 11 37 (2005),
(ID: 327389)
Toggle Abstract
Ist eine Münze gezinkt oder nicht, d. h. weist
sie Kopf und Zahl auf oder stimmen beide Seiten
überein? Ein einfacher Quantenalgorithmus
erlaubt es, diese Frage mit nur einem Blick auf
die Münze statt zweien zu beantworten. Der
„Rechner“, auf dem dieser Algorithmus ausgeführt
wird, besteht nicht aus Transistoren, sondern
aus kalten, eingesperrten Ionen.
(local copy)
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L. Tian, P. Rabl, R. Blatt, P. Zoller Interfacing Quantum-Optical and Solid-State Qubits,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 92 247902 (2004),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.247902 doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.247902 (ID: 314633)
Toggle Abstract
We present a generic model of coupling quantum-optical and solid-state qubits, and the corresponding transfer protocols. The example discussed is a trapped ion coupled to a charge qubit (e.g., Cooper pair box). To enhance the coupling and to achieve compatibility between the different experimental setups we introduce a superconducting cavity as the connecting element.
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C. Roos, M. Riebe, H. Häffner, W. Hänsel, J. Benhelm, G. Lancaster, C. Becher, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Control and Measurment of Three-Qubit Entangled States,
Science 304 1478 (2004),
(ID: 342102)
Toggle Abstract
We report the deterministic creation of maximally entangled three-qubit
states—specifically the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ ) state and the
W state—with a trapped-ion quantum computer.We read out one of the
qubits selectively and show how GHZ andWstates are affected by this local
measurement.Additionally, we demonstrate conditional operations controlled
by the results from reading out one qubit.Tripartite entanglement
is deterministically transformed into bipartite entanglement by local operations
only.These operations are the measurement of one qubit of a GHZ
state in a rotated basis and, conditioned on this measurement result, the
application of single-qubit rotations.
(local copy)
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C. Roos, G. Lancaster, M. Riebe, H. Häffner, W. Hänsel, S. Gulde, C. Becher, J. Eschner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Bell States of Atoms with Ultralong Lifetimes and Their Tomographic State Analysis,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 92 220402 (2004),
(ID: 342103)
Toggle Abstract
Arbitrary atomic Bell states with two trapped ions are generated in a deterministic and preprogrammed way. The resulting entanglement is quantitatively analyzed using various measures of entanglement. For this, we reconstruct the density matrix using single qubit rotations and subsequent measurements with near-unity detection efficiency. This procedure represents the basic building block for future process tomography of quantum computations. As a first application, the temporal decay of entanglement is investigated in detail.We observe ultralong lifetimes for the Bell states, close to the fundamental limit set by the spontaneous emission from the metastable upper qubit level and longer than all reported values by 3 orders of magnitude.
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S. Gulde, M. Riebe, G. Lancaster, C. Becher, J. Eschner, H. Häffner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Quantized AC-Stark shifts and their use for multiparticle entanglement and quantum gates,
65 587 (2004),
(ID: 342104)
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A. Kreuter, C. Becher, G. Lancaster, A. B. Mundt, C. Russo, H. Häffner, C. Roos, J. Eschner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Spontaneous Emission Lifetime of a Single Trapped Ca+ Ion in a High Finesse Cavity,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 92 203002 (2004),
(ID: 342120)
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C. Maurer, C. Becher, C. Russo, J. Eschner, R. Blatt A single-photon source based on a single Ca+ ion,
New J. Phys. 6 94 (2004),
(ID: 343914)
Toggle Abstract
We propose a deterministic source of single photons based on the
vacuum-stimulated Raman transition of a single Ca+ ion trapped inside a high
finesse cavity. Assuming realistic experimental parameters, the efficiency of
photon emission into the cavity mode reaches 95%.
(local copy)
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P. Bushev, M. A. Wilson, J. Eschner, C. Raab, F. Schmidt-Kaler, C. Becher, R. Blatt Forces between a Single Atom and Its Distant Mirror Image,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 92 223602 (2004),
(ID: 343934)
Toggle Abstract
An excited-state atom whose emitted light is backreflected by a distant mirror can experience
trapping forces, because the presence of the mirror modifies both the electromagnetic vacuum field and
the atom’s own radiation reaction field.We demonstrate this mechanical action using a single trapped
barium ion. We observe the trapping conditions to be notably altered when the distant mirror is
translated across an optical wavelength. The well-localized barium ion enables the spatial dependence
of the forces to be measured explicitly. The experiment has implications for quantum information
processing and may be regarded as the most elementary optical tweezers.
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R. Blatt, H. Häffner, C. Roos, C. Becher, F. Schmidt-Kaler Ion Trap Quantum Computing with Ca+ Ions,
Quant. Inf. Proc. 3 1-5 (2004),
(ID: 513993)
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M. Riebe, H. Häffner, C. Roos, W. Hänsel, J. Benhelm, G. Lancaster, T. Körber, C. Becher, F. Schmidt-Kaler, D. James, R. Blatt Deterministic quantum teleportation with atoms,
Nature 429 734 (2004),
(ID: 520666)
Toggle Abstract
Teleportation of a quantum state encompasses the complete
transfer of information from one particle to another. The complete
specification of the quantum state of a system generally
requires an infinite amount of information, even for simple twolevel
systems (qubits). Moreover, the principles of quantum
mechanics dictate that any measurement on a system immediately
alters its state, while yielding at most one bit of information.
The transfer of a state from one system to another (by performing
measurements on the first and operations on the second) might
therefore appear impossible. However, it has been shown1 that
the entangling properties of quantum mechanics, in combination
with classical communication, allow quantum-state teleportation
to be performed. Teleportation using pairs of
entangled photons has been demonstrated2–6, but such techniques
are probabilistic, requiring post-selection of measured
photons. Here, we report deterministic quantum-state teleportation
between a pair of trapped calcium ions. Following closely the
original proposal1, we create a highly entangled pair of ions and
perform a complete Bell-state measurement involving one ion
from this pair and a third source ion. State reconstruction
conditioned on this measurement is then performed on the
other half of the entangled pair. The measured fidelity is 75%,
demonstrating unequivocally the quantum nature of the process.
(local copy)
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F. Schmidt-Kaler, H. Häffner, S. Gulde, M. Riebe, G. Lancaster, T. Deuschle, C. Becher, W. Hänsel, J. Eschner, C. Roos, R. Blatt How to realize a universal quantum gate with trapped ions,
Appl. Phys. B Las. Opt. 77 789 (2003),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00340-003-1346-9 doi:10.1007/s00340-003-1346-9 (ID: 342105)
Toggle Abstract
We report the realization of an elementary quantum
processor based on a linear crystal of trapped ions. Each
ion serves as a quantum bit (qubit) to store the quantum information
in long lived electronic states.We present the realization
of single-qubit and of universal two-qubit logic gates. The twoqubit
operation relies on the coupling of the ions through their
collective quantized motion. A detailed description of the setup
and the methods is included.
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G. Lancaster, H. Häffner, M. A. Wilson, C. Becher, J. Eschner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Doppler cooling a single Ca+ ion with a violet extended-cavity diode laser,
Appl. Phys. B Las. Opt. 76 805 (2003),
(ID: 342107)
Toggle Abstract
We present a scheme for employing a violet
extended-cavity diode laser in experiments with single, trapped
ions. For this the grating-stabilised laser is spatially and spectrally
filtered and referenced to a Fabry–P´erot cavity. We measure
an upper limit to the line width by observing a 305-kHz
FWHM beat note with the second harmonic of a titanium sapphire
laser. The laser is subsequently used to optically cool
a single 40Ca+ ion close to the Doppler limit.
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H. Häffner, S. Gulde, M. Riebe, G. Lancaster, C. Becher, J. Eschner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Precision measurement and compensation of optical Stark shifts for an ion-trap quantum processor,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 90 143602 (2003),
(ID: 342109)
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F. Schmidt-Kaler, H. Häffner, M. Riebe, S. Gulde, G. Lancaster, T. Deuschle, C. Becher, C. Roos, J. Eschner, R. Blatt Realization of the Cirac-Zoller controlled-NOT quantum gate,
Nature 422 408 (2003),
(ID: 342111)
Toggle Abstract
Quantum computers have the potential to perform certain
computational tasks more efficiently than their classical counterparts.
The Cirac–Zoller proposal1 for a scalable quantum computer
is based on a string of trapped ions whose electronic states
represent the quantum bits of information (or qubits). In this
scheme, quantum logical gates involving any subset of ions are
realized by coupling the ions through their collective quantized
motion. The main experimental step towards realizing the
scheme is to implement the controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate operation
between two individual ions. The CNOT quantum logical
gate corresponds to the XOR gate operation of classical logic that
flips the state of a target bit conditioned on the state of a control
bit. Here we implement a CNOT quantum gate according to the
Cirac–Zoller proposal1. In our experiment, two 40Ca1 ions are
held in a linear Paul trap and are individually addressed using
focused laser beams2; the qubits3 are represented by superpositions
of two long-lived electronic states. Our work relies onrecently developed
precise control of atomic phases4 and the
application of composite pulse sequences adapted from nuclear
magnetic resonance techniques5,6.
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S. Gulde, M. Riebe, G. Lancaster, C. Becher, J. Eschner, H. Häffner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, I. L. Chuang, R. Blatt Implementing the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm on an ion-trap quantum computer,
Nature 421 48-50 (2003),
(ID: 342116)
Toggle Abstract
Determining classically whether a coin is fair (head on one side,
tail on the other) or fake (heads or tails on both sides) requires an
examination of each side. However, the analogous quantum
procedure (the Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm1,2) requires just one
examination step. The Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm has been realized
experimentally using bulk nuclear magnetic resonance
techniques3,4, employing nuclear spins as quantum bits (qubits).
In contrast, the ion trap processor utilises5 motional and electronic
quantum states of individual atoms as qubits, and in
principle is easier to scale to many qubits. Experimental advances
in the latter area include the realization of a two-qubit quantum
gate6, the entanglement of four ions7, quantum state engineering8
and entanglement-enhanced phase estimation9. Here we exploit
techniques10,11 developed for nuclear magnetic resonance to
implement the Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm on an ion-trap quantum
processor, using as qubits the electronic and motional states of a
single calcium ion. Our ion-based implementation of a full
quantum algorithm serves to demonstrate experimental procedures
with the quality and precision required for complex
computations, confirming the potential of trapped ions for
quantum computation.
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F. Schmidt-Kaler, S. Gulde, M. Riebe, T. Deuschle, A. Kreuter, G. Lancaster, C. Becher, J. Eschner, H. Häffner, R. Blatt Coherence of qubits based on single Ca+ ions,
J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 36 623-636 (2003),
(ID: 342123)
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M. A. Wilson, P. Bushev, J. Eschner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, C. Becher, R. Blatt, U. Dorner Vacuum-field level shifts in a single trapped ion mediated by a single distant mirror,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 91 213602 (2003),
(ID: 343935)
Toggle Abstract
A distant mirror leads to a vacuum-induced level shift in a laser-excited atom. This effect has been
measured with a single mirror 25 cm away from a single, trapped barium ion. This dispersive action is
the counterpart to the mirror’s dissipative effect, which has been shown earlier to effect a change in the
ion’s spontaneous decay [J. Eschner et al., Nature (London) 413, 495 (2001)]. The experimental data are
well described by eight-level optical Bloch equations which are amended to take into account the
presence of the mirror according to the model in U. Dorner and P. Zoller, Phys. Rev. A 66, 023816
(2002). Observed deviations from simple dispersive behavior are attributed to multilevel effects.
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J. Eschner, G. Morigi, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Laser cooling of trapped ions,
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 20 1003 (2003),
(ID: 343940)
Toggle Abstract
Trapped and laser-cooled ions are increasingly used for a variety of modern high-precision experiments, for
frequency standard applications, and for quantum information processing. Therefore laser cooling of trapped
ions is reviewed, the current state of the art is reported, and several new cooling techniques are outlined. The
principles of ion trapping and the basic concepts of laser cooling for trapped atoms are introduced. The underlying
physical mechanisms are presented, and basic experiments are briefly sketched. Particular attention
is paid to recent progress by elucidating several milestone experiments. In addition, a number of special
cooling techniques pertaining to trapped ions are reviewed; open questions and future research lines are indicated.
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D. Leibfried, R. Blatt, C. Monroe, D. Wineland Quantum dynamics of single trapped ions,
Rev. Mod. Phys. 75 281 (2003),
(ID: 343943)
Toggle Abstract
Single trapped ions represent elementary quantum systems that are well isolated from the
environment. They can be brought nearly to rest by laser cooling, and both their internal electronic states and external motion can be coupled to and manipulated by light fields. This makes them ideally suited for quantum-optical and quantum-dynamical studies under well-controlled conditions. Theoretical and experimental work on these topics is reviewed in the paper, with a focus on ions trapped in radio-frequency (Paul) traps.
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A. B. Mundt, A. Kreuter, C. Russo, C. Becher, D. Leibfried, J. Eschner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Coherent coupling of a single Ca+ ion to a high-finesse optical cavity,
Appl. Phys. B Las. Opt. 76 117-124 (2003),
(ID: 343950)
Toggle Abstract
We demonstrate coherent coupling of the quadrupole
S1/2 ↔ D5/2 optical transition of a single trapped 40Ca+
ion to the standing wave field of a high-finesse cavity. The
dependence of the coupling on temporal dynamics and spatial
variations of the intracavity field is investigated in detail.
By precisely controlling the position of the ion in the cavity
standing wave field and by selectively exciting vibrational statechanging
transitions the ion’s quantized vibration in the trap
is deterministically coupled to the cavity mode. We confirm
coherent interaction of ion and cavity field by exciting Rabi
oscillations with short resonant laser pulses injected into the
cavity, which is frequency-stabilized to the atomic transition.
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S. Gulde, H. Häffner, M. Riebe, G. Lancaster, C. Becher, J. Eschner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, I. L. Chuang, R. Blatt Quantum information Processing with Trapped Ca+ ions,
Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A 361 1-12 (2003),
(ID: 619585)
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J. Eschner, C. Raab, A. B. Mundt, A. Kreuter, C. Becher, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Single trapped ions interacting with low- und high-finesse optical cavities,
Fortschr. Phys. 51 359-368 (2003),
(ID: 619586)
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J. Eschner, C. Raab, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Light interference from single atoms and their mirror images,
Nature 413 495-498 (2001),
(ID: 343953)
Toggle Abstract
A single atom emitting single photons is a fundamental source of
light. But the characteristics of this light depend strongly on the
environment of the atom1,2. For example, if an atom is placed
between two mirrors, both the total rate and the spectral composition
of the spontaneous emission can be modi®ed. Such effects
have been observed using various systems: molecules deposited on
mirrors3, dye molecules in an optical cavity4, an atom beam
traversing a two-mirror optical resonator5±8, single atoms traversing
a microwave cavity9±11 and a single trapped electron12. A
related and equally fundamental phenomenon is the optical
interaction between two atoms of the same kind when their
separation is comparable to their emission wavelength. In this
situation, light emitted by one atom may be reabsorbed by the
other, leading to cooperative processes in the emission13,14. Here
we observe these phenomena with high visibility by using one or
two single atom(s), a collimating lens and a mirror, and by
recording the individual photons scattered by the atom(s). Our
experiments highlight the intimate connection between one-atom
and two-atom effects, and allow their continuous observation
using the same apparatus.
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S. Gulde, D. Rotter, P. Barton, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt, W. Hogervorst Simple and efficient photoionization loading of ions for precision ion-trapping experiments,
Appl. Phys. B Las. Opt. 73 861-863 (2001),
(ID: 343955)
Toggle Abstract
We report a simple and efficient method to load a Paul trap with Ca+ ions.
A beam of neutral atomic calcium is ionized in a two-step photo-ionization process
using uv-diode lasers near 423 nm and 390 nm. Photo-ionization of a calcium beam
for loading a Paul trap has first been demonstrated by Kjærgaard et al. The advantages
of ourmethod are the use of cheap and easily handled diode-laser systems and the large
cross section for field ionization when exciting high-lying Rydberg states. Finally, we
discuss the advantages of photo-ionization for ion generation compared to loading by
electron bombardment
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R. Blatt Delicate information,
Nature 412 773 (2001),
(ID: 343960)
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F. Schmidt-Kaler, J. Eschner, G. Morigi, C. Roos, D. Leibfried, A. B. Mundt, R. Blatt Laser cooling with electromagnetically induced transparency: Application to trapped samples of ions or neutral atoms,
Appl. Phys. B Las. Opt. 73 807 (2001),
(ID: 343962)
Toggle Abstract
A novel method of ground-state laser cooling of
trapped atoms utilizes the absorption profile of a three- (or
multi-) level system that is tailored by a quantum interference.
With cooling rates comparable to conventional sideband cooling,
lower final temperatures may be achieved. The method was
experimentally implemented to cool a single Ca+ ion to its
vibrational ground state. Since a broad band of vibrational frequencies
can be cooled simultaneously, the technique will be
particularly useful for the cooling of larger ion strings, thereby
being of great practical importance for initializing a quantum
register based on trapped ions.We also discuss its application to
different level schemes and for ground-state cooling of neutral
atoms trapped by a far-detuned standing wave laser field.
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H. Rohde, S. Gulde, C. Roos, P. Barton, D. Leibfried, J. Eschner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Sympathetic ground state cooling and coherent manipulation with two-ion-crystals,
J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt. 3 34 (2001),
(ID: 469819)
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C. Roos, D. Leibfried, A. B. Mundt, F. Schmidt-Kaler, J. Eschner, R. Blatt Experimental demonstration of ground state laser cooling with electromagnetically induced transparency,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 85 5547 (2000),
(ID: 344232)
Toggle Abstract
A laser cooling method for trapped atoms is described which achieves ground state cooling by exploiting
quantum interference in a driven L-shaped arrangement of atomic levels. The scheme is technically
simpler than existing methods of sideband cooling, yet it can be significantly more efficient, in particular
when several motional modes are involved, and it does not impose restrictions on the transition linewidth.
We study the full quantum mechanical model of the cooling process for one motional degree of freedom
and show that a rate equation provides a good approximation.
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H. Rohde, S. Gulde, C. Roos, P. Barton, D. Leibfried, J. Eschner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Sympathetic ground state cooling and coherent manipulation with two-ion-crystals,
J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt. 3 S3 (2000),
(ID: 344234)
Toggle Abstract
We have cooled a two-ion crystal to the ground-state of its collective modes
of motion. Laser cooling, more specifically resolved sideband cooling, is
performed sympathetically by illuminating only one of the two 40Ca+ ions in
the crystal. The heating rates of the motional modes of the crystal in our
linear trap have been measured, and we found them considerably smaller
than those previously reported by Turchette et al (2000 Phys.Rev.A 61
063418) in the case of trapped 9Be+ ions. After the ground state is prepared,
coherent quantum state manipulation of the atomic population can be
performed. Up to 12 Rabi oscillations are observed, showing that many
coherent manipulations can be achieved. Coherent excitation of each ion
individually and ground state cooling are important tools for the realization
of quantum information processing in ion traps.
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R. Blatt Push-button entanglement,
Nature 404 231 (2000),
(ID: 344235)
Toggle Abstract
Quantum mechanics allows matter to be prepared in a strangely correlated
way called entanglement. In future, large numbers of entangled particles may
be put to work in quantum computers and precise quantum measurements.
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A. Steane, C. Roos, D. Stevens, A. B. Mundt, D. Leibfried, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Speed of ion trap quantum information processors,
Phys. Rev. A 62 042305 (2000),
(ID: 344236)
Toggle Abstract
We investigate theoretically the speed limit of quantum gate operations for ion trap quantum information processors. The proposed methods use laser pulses for quantum gates that entangle the electronic and vibrational degrees of freedom of the trapped ions. Two of these methods are studied in detail and for both of them the speed is limited by a combination of the recoil frequency of the relevant electronic transition, and the
vibrational frequency in the trap. We have experimentally studied the gate operations below and above this
speed limit. In the latter case, the fidelity is reduced, in agreement with our theoretical findings.
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C. Raab, J. Eschner, J. Bolle, H. Oberst, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Motional sidebands and direct measurement of the cooling rate in the resonance fluorescence of a single trapped ion,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 85 538 (2000),
(ID: 344237)
Toggle Abstract
Resonance fluorescence of a single trapped ion is spectrally analyzed using a heterodyne technique.
Motional sidebands due to the oscillation of the ion in the harmonic trap potential are observed in the
fluorescence spectrum. From the width of the sidebands the cooling rate is obtained and found to be in
agreement with the theoretical prediction.
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H. Nägerl, C. Roos, D. Leibfried, H. Rohde, G. Thalhammer, J. Eschner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Investigating a qubit candidate: Spectroscopy on the S1/2 to D5/2 transition of a trapped calcium ion in a linear Paul trap,
Phys. Rev. A 61 023405 (2000),
(ID: 344239)
Toggle Abstract
A single 40Ca1 ion is confined in a linear Paul trap and Doppler-cooled on the S1/2 to P1/2 dipole transition.
Then the narrow quadrupole S1/2 to D5/2 transition at 729 nm is probed. The observed spectrum is interpreted
in terms of the Zeeman substructure superimposed with oscillation sidebands due to the harmonic motion in the
trap. The height of the motional sidebands provides a sensitive method to determine the ion’s temperature and
thus allows us to test sub-Doppler laser cooling schemes needed for quantum state preparation and quantum
computation. We also observe the dynamics induced by Rabi oscillations on a carrier transition and interpret it
in terms of the thermal state which is reached after Doppler cooling.
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F. Schmidt-Kaler, C. Roos, H. Nägerl, H. Rohde, S. Gulde, A. B. Mundt, M. Lederbauer, G. Thalhammer, T. Zeiger, P. Barton, L. Hornekaer, G. Reymond, D. Leibfried, J. Eschner, R. Blatt Ground state cooling, quantum state engineering, and study of decoherence in Paul traps,
J. Mod. Opt. 47 2573 (2000),
(ID: 469818)
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H. Nägerl, C. Roos, H. Rohde, D. Leibfried, J. Eschner, F. Schmidt-Kaler, R. Blatt Addressing and cooling of single ions in Paul traps,
Fortschr. Phys. 48 623 (2000),
(ID: 619587)