An ion is a atom with one of the outer electrons removed (normally removed by pointing a laser beam at it) – forming positively charged ion.
Ion trapping is done in a vacuum chamber to isolate the ions from the external environment as much as possible. (And avoid other atoms in the air from bumping and
- Atoms
- Consist of 3 components, a proton and neutron (called the nucleus) in the center and electrons which orbit this nucleus
- 117 different types
- Are elements the same as atoms
- Every element is unique and has an atomic number
- That number tells you the number of protons in every atom of the element. The atomic number is also called the proton number.
- All electrons have a negative charge
- All protons have a positive charge
- Photonizing is the process of using a laser to ionize the element
- We need lasers at different wavelengths to perform specific tasks to the ion
- E.g. for Strontium
- 422nm laser to detect and doppler cooling of the ion
- Using the 1092nm to move the stat of the strontium ion back to the
Sinara: Open Source Hardware Platform for Ion Trapping
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1901.04851.pdf
Honeywell – Quantum:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRzhb7OkQ9s&feature=emb_logo
Thoughts …
- Could you use optical fiber to shoot laser beams at ions
- Fiber optic cable + ions
- Yes, done here:
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2020/10/26/mit-lincoln-laboratory-creates-the-first-trapped-ion-quantum-chip-with-integrated-photonics/?sh=72d22a86126a
- Magnetic wave for ions
- Embed ions in fiber optic
Biggest challenges:
- When using a planar surface ion trap, scaling becomes difficult because you need to introduce media (sodium); a laser to manipulate the atom (convert it to a ion) and a some form of microscope to measure/monitor the ions.
- The planar surface chip use a DC current – to alternate the power electromagnetic waves and hold the ion in place and RF signals to change the state of the ions (see YT video)
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2020/10/26/mit-lincoln-laboratory-creates-the-first-trapped-ion-quantum-chip-with-integrated-photonics/?sh=72d22a86126a