A surface ion trap system for quantum information processing with barium ions

We report the implementation of a novel barium-based quantum processor utilizing a surface ion trap. The system features enhanced optical access and superior vacuum pressures (< 3 × 10⁻¹¹ mbar) compared to similar setups, achieved by centrally mounting the surface trap within the chamber rather than on a flange. The system has three types of atomic sources, each requiring its own specialized preparation and installation methods but enabling a broader range of experiments (naturally abundant metallic barium, naturally abundant barium in salt form, and enriched barium in salt form). In this talk, I will discuss the challenges, setbacks, and solutions encountered during the assembly of the trap and atomic sources.