Ion-Ion Entanglement for Quantum Networking at the Air Force Research Laboratory

Quantum networking is a vital area of research that may provide distributed quantum computing capabilities and may ultimately offer tamper-proof and tamper-evident communications. One method to achieve this is to entangle trapped ions in distant network nodes. Ytterbium 171 is a near-ideal candidate for memory due to its internal properties that allow for long-lived quantum bit states. The first step towards a viable network is to reliably entangle two ions trapped in separate vacuum chambers. This poster will focus on the progress to date to entangle two remote ions. ~In addition, we will discuss the longer-term quantum networking goals towards compact network nodes and distributing entanglement across a multi-node network.