title: Arbitrary waveform generator for quantum information processing with trapped ions.
abstract: Atomic ions confined in multi-electrode traps have been proposed as a basis for scalable quantum information processing. This scheme involves transporting ions between spatially distinct locations by use of time-varying electric potentials combined with laser or microwave pulses for quantum logic in specific locations. We report the development of a fast multi-channel arbitrary waveform generator for applying the time-varying electric potentials used for transport and for shaping quantum logic pulses. The generator is based on a field-programmable gate array controlled ensemble of 16-bit digital-to-analog converters with an update frequency of 50 MHz and an output range of ±10 V. The update rate of the waveform generator is much faster than relevant motional frequencies of the confined ions in our experiments, allowing diabatic control of the ion motion. Numerous pre-loaded sets of time-varying voltages can be selected with 40 ns latency conditioned on real-time signals. Here we describe the device and demonstrate some of its uses in ion-based quantum information experiments, including speed-up of ion transport and the shaping of laser and microwave pulses.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, Colorado 80305, USA. ryan.bowler@nist.gov
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bowler
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Warring
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Britton
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Sawyer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Amini