Two-ion Coulomb crystals of Ca + in a Penning trap.
Results demonstrating laser cooling and observation of individual calcium ions in a Penning trap are presented. We show that we are able to trap, cool, image and manipulate the shape of very small ensembles of ions sufficiently well to produce two-ion 'Coulomb crystals' aligned along the magnetic field of a Penning trap. Images are presented which show the individual ions to be resolved in a two-ion crystal. A distinct change in the configuration of such a crystal is observed as the experimental parameters are changed. These structures could eventually be used as building blocks in a Penning trap based quantum computer.
Crick
D R
DR
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Prince Consort Rd., London SW7 2AZ, UK.
Ohadi
H
H
Bhatti
I
I
Thompson
R C
RC
Segal
D M
DM