Trapped Atomic Ions Research Articles

Ion trap transducers for quantum electromechanical oscillators

An enduring challenge for contemporary physics is to experimentally observe and control quantum behavior in macroscopic systems. We show that a single trapped atomic ion could be used to probe the quantum nature of a mesoscopic mechanical oscillator precooled to $4\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, and furthermore, to cool the oscillator with high efficiency to its quantum ground state. The proposed experiment could be performed using currently available technology.

Simplified quantum logic with trapped ions

We describe a simplified scheme for quantum logic with a collection of laser-cooled trapped atomic ions. Building on the scheme of Cirac and Zoller, we show how the fundamental controlled-NOT gate between a collective mode of ion motion and the internal states of a single ion can be reduced to a single laser pulse, and the need for a third auxiliary internal electronic state can be eliminated.

Possibility of measuring parity nonconservation with a single trapped atomic ion.

A new way of measuring atomic parity nonconservation is proposed that utilizes the remarkable sensitivity inherent in experiments with a single trapped atomic ion. The accuracy may be sufficient to provide a valuable test of electroweak theory. As an illustration, the prospects are analyzed for carrying out such a measurement with ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}$ by observing the ground state spin rotation induced by an intense laser beam. This technique might also be used to search for T-odd interactions in atomic ions.