Trapped ion chain thermometry and mass spectrometry through imaging

Area of Science:

• Atomic Physics
• Quantum Information Science

Background:

• Trapped ions are crucial for quantum computing and precision measurements.
• Accurate thermometry is essential for understanding ion behavior and optimizing cooling processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a non-destructive spatial-imaging thermometry technique for ions in a Coulomb crystal.
• To utilize this technique for measuring chain resonance frequencies and inferring molecular composition in mixed-ion systems.

Main Methods:

• Relating the spatial extent of ions in a linear radiofrequency ion trap to their vibrational normal modes.
• Analyzing the thermal spatial spread of bright ions in a two-species chain to determine center-of-mass resonance frequency.
• Inferring the composition of co-trapped dark ions based on the behavior of bright ions.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated spatial-imaging thermometry for ions in a one-dimensional Coulomb crystal.
• Measured the center-of-mass resonance frequency of a mixed-ion chain.
• Inferred the molecular composition of co-trapped dark ions.

Conclusions:

• The developed non-destructive techniques offer new possibilities for sympathetic cooling studies in mixed-ion chains.
• Enhances few-ion mass spectrometry and trapped-ion thermometry capabilities.
• Eliminates the need for scanning Doppler cooling parameters, simplifying experimental procedures.