Quantum Simulation and Sensing in a Penning Ion Trap

The NIST Penning trap experiment focuses both on quantum simulation and quantum sensing. For both applications, cooling all motional modes of the ions is essential, but it is challenging for the in-plane motion of a 2D crystal. The difficulty of performing direct thermometry of these modes is also exacerbated by the rotation of the crystal at ~180 kHz. Here, we present progress on in-plane mode thermometry and discuss protocols for improving the cooling.

We also show results from a quatnum simulation of the Dicke model with ~100 ions. This model is of interest because it combines features such as quantum chaos and a dynamical phase transition with computational tractability, enabling verification of experimental results with a direct comparison with theory.

Finally, individual qubit control is required for a universal quantum processor. In Penning traps, the rotation of the crystal precludes standard individual addressing techniques used in rf Paul traps. We discuss our work towards the use of a deformable mirror, a type of spatial light modulator, to address subsests of ions within a larger crystal. This technique can, in principle, be extended to achieve individual control