3D-printed micro ion trap technology for quantum information applications

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Quantum Technology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Trapped-ion applications (quantum information processing, precision measurements, optical clocks, mass spectrometry) require specialized ion traps.
• Traditional machining creates macroscopic 3D Paul traps, while photolithography miniaturizes traps but struggles with complex 3D electrode structures.
• Fabricating complex 3D electrode structures for optimal ion confinement remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a high-resolution 3D printing technology for fabricating miniaturized 3D ion traps.
• To evaluate the performance of these 3D-printed ion traps for trapped-ion applications.
• To explore the potential of 3D printing for optimizing ion trap design and functionality.

Main Methods:

• Utilized high-resolution 3D printing based on two-photon polymerization (2PP) technology.
• Fabricated large arrays of miniaturized 3D ion traps.
• Trapped calcium ions and measured radial trap frequencies.

Main Results:

• Successfully trapped calcium ions in 3D-printed ion traps with radial frequencies from 2 MHz to 24 MHz.
• Achieved high-quality Rabi oscillations with Doppler cooling only, due to tight ion confinement.
• Demonstrated a two-qubit gate with a high Bell-state fidelity of 0.978 ± 0.012.

Conclusions:

• 3D-printed ion traps combine strong radial confinement with on-chip miniaturization.
• This technology expands design freedom for ion trap geometries without sacrificing scalability and precision.
• Optimized ion trap designs fabricated via 3D printing can enhance performance and functionality for trapped-ion applications.