Towards quantum control and spectroscopy of single, light molecular ions

I will present progress towards quantum control and spectroscopy of single, light molecular ions. We have constructed a cryogenic ultra-high vacuum apparatus housing a microfabricated, monolithic linear Paul trap. Our experimental approach aims to co-trap $^{9}$Be$^{+}$ atomic ions with single molecular ions that are ionized using electron bombardment. We aim to use buffer gas cooling in combination with quantum logic spectroscopy to prepare the internal state of the molecular ion in a pure quantum state, as well as to perform non-destructive state readout. \\

I will show our first results of trapping single molecular ions and their mass determination using motional sideband spectroscopy of the co-trapped $^{9}$Be$^{+}$ ion, which suggests the co-trapping of a single H$_{3}^{+}$ molecular ion.