Arrays of individually controlled ions suitable for two-dimensional quantum simulations.
A precisely controlled quantum system may reveal a fundamental understanding of another, less accessible system of interest. A universal quantum computer is currently out of reach, but an analogue quantum simulator that makes relevant observables, interactions and states of a quantum model accessible could permit insight into complex dynamics. Several platforms have been suggested and proof-of-principle experiments have been conducted. Here, we operate two-dimensional arrays of three trapped ions in individually controlled harmonic wells forming equilateral triangles with side lengths 40 and 80 μm. In our approach, which is scalable to arbitrary two-dimensional lattices, we demonstrate individual control of the electronic and motional degrees of freedom, preparation of a fiducial initial state with ion motion close to the ground state, as well as a tuning of couplings between ions within experimental sequences. Our work paves the way towards a quantum simulator of two-dimensional systems designed at will.
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Physikalisches Institut, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, Freiburg 79104, Germany.
Manuel
M
Mielenz
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Physikalisches Institut, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, Freiburg 79104, Germany.
Henning
H
Kalis
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Physikalisches Institut, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, Freiburg 79104, Germany.
Matthias
M
Wittemer
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Physikalisches Institut, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, Freiburg 79104, Germany.
Frederick
F
Hakelberg
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Physikalisches Institut, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, Freiburg 79104, Germany.
Ulrich
U
Warring
Department of Physics, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 82, Basel 4056, Switzerland.
Roman
0000-0001-5713-5262
R
Schmied
Sandia National Laboratories, PO Box 5800 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1082, USA.
Matthew
M
Blain
Sandia National Laboratories, PO Box 5800 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1082, USA.
Peter
P
Maunz
Sandia National Laboratories, PO Box 5800 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1082, USA.
David L
DL
Moehring
Time and Frequency Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305, USA.
Dietrich
D
Leibfried
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Physikalisches Institut, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, Freiburg 79104, Germany.|Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, Albertstr. 19, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Tobias
T
Schaetz