EIT ADDRESSING · EIT based addressing of individual ions in a microtrap

EIT based addressing of individual ions in a microtrap

Project objectives and work performed Scientific objectives - Familiarisation of trapping and cooling techniques for ions The starting point of the project was to assemble a micro ion trap with integrated optical fibres according to the design made by the host group. During the assembly and installation of the trap we discovered several unexpected points, which were not taken into account in the original design (1). This resulted in extra work to develop a new improved design of the micro ion trap and the corresponding experimental apparatus for its further operation (2-3). In order to gain experience in the trapping and laser cooling of single ions during this demanding development work, I decided to carry on with parallel ion trapping experiments in another ion trap. This trap is one of the two ion traps already operating in the host group. We first performed trap optimisation for single and a few ions operation. Second, Doppler laser cooling was performed and optimised. Finally, we carried out sideband laser cooling of single and a few ions to prepare them in the ground state of the trap (4-5); this is a prerequisite to further quantum information processing operations. - Obtaining expertise in working with a few ions in micro-traps and the implementation of single ion addressing via lensed optical fibres The additional trap development work caused a delay in the assembly and testing of the final fibred micro ion trap. Although this extra work did not allow me to perform ion addressing using optical fibres, it enabled me to get deep, valuable insights into the ion trapping technology (1, 3, 6). - Production of laser beams with tailored intensity distribution We studied various methods for tailoring radial intensity distribution in laser beams: computer-generated holograms, step-phase plates and Fabry-Perot resonators. We performed numerical simulations to select the most promising candidates for creating intensity distributions necessary for addressing. These methods were then experimentally tested and characterised (7). - Addressing single ions via an EIT process Taking into account the amount of development work and the availability of human resources dedicated to the project, it was decided to concentrate the main project efforts on the laser cooling experiments and development of the firm theoretical model of the addressing process based on the effect of electro-magnetically induced transparency (EIT). - Developing a firm theoretical understanding of EIT processes and exploring the possibility of using EIT in gate operations In collaboration with the theoretical group, which proposed to use EIT for single atom addressing, I adapted the scheme for the calcium ions that we use in our project. Moreover, I extended the proposed single qubit phase gate to arbitrary qubit rotations. The main outcome of the theoretical work was to estimate the effect of different experimental imperfections on the fidelity of the addressing in order to simplify and optimise the experimental set-up (8-9). Career objectives - Management of a high-level research project and gaining experience for commencing my independent research career My gain from the fellowship is threefold. Firstly, during this project I managed the research work and made strategic decisions to direct the flow of the project. This allowed us, despite discovered challenges, to perform high-quality research work (3-4, 8-9). Secondly, I was able to travel to international conferences (9-11) and to establish fruitful scientific collaborations with theoreticians. Finally, I supervised several bachelor, masters and PhD students working on this project (1, 2, 5-7). This supervision work, together with my tutoring and lecturing at the Department of Physics and Astronomy during the last two years, gave me valuable teaching experience. Main results This combination of the management experience, together with the deep theoretical and experimental understanding of the field, has helped me to develop a scientific research programme for my future work as an independent researcher. Combined with the teaching experience, I am well equipped now for securing a position as an assistant professor or lecturer. Recently, I was invited for a job interview for the position of lecturer at University College London (UK).

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