Quantum information processing uses quantum-mechanical phenomena such as superposition and entanglement to perform computation. Quantum circuits use quantum bits, or qubits. Qubits are stored in stable electronic states of each ion, and quantum information can transfer through the collective quantized motion of the ions in a shared trap. Scalable architectures for quantum information processing with trapped ions will necessarily comprise thousands of computation sites, and each computational site would house several ions, which serve as qubits.
Currently pursued large-scale architectures rely on two-dimensional trap geometries amenable to lithographic microfabrication. This method raises challenges when scaling to a large number of computation sites. New microfabrication methods and 3D printing techniques enable complicated three-dimensional structures to be manufactured quickly and with high precision, which allows for new miniature ion traps to be created with features and scalability needed to advance quantum computing.
LLNL and its research partners have created miniature ion traps with submicron precision and complex geometries made using 3D printing for fast, high-fidelity and scalable quantum computations. A patent is pending on the technology, with claims covering embodiments for a vertical ion trap, horizontal ion traps and methods of forming the ion traps using advanced manufacturing techniques.
Image Caption: Schematic of a scalable ion-trap QIP-architecture based on 3D printing
Current stage of technology development:
TRL ☒ 0-2 ☐ 3-5 ☐ 5-9
LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2023/0274174 Miniature ion traps for fast, high-fidelity and scalable quantum computations published 8/31/2023
- allows for fast, high fidelity miniaturization - printed ion traps have high trap frequency and deep harmonic potentials.
- enables scalability
- has the potential to expand geometric freedom and optimize features in ion traps that go beyond the limits of photolithography
Quantum computing systems
