Register now After registration you will be able to apply for this opportunity online.
This opportunity is not published. No applications will be accepted.
Enhancement of arbitrary-waveform generation system used for ion trap control in quantum information experiments
In our experiments, we use precise DC voltages to move single atomic ions around a several-mm-long trap, with a precision of <100 nm. We generate the voltages using custom PCBs, which you will learn about and improve in this project.
Keywords: Electronics, FPGA, PCB, ions, low-noise, quantum computing, quantum information
We trap short chains of atomic ions using electric potentials within a Paul trap, and use each ion as a quantum bit within a small-scale quantum information processor (QIP) [1, 2]. We generate DC-coupled potentials (voltages) with arbitrary-waveform generators (AWGs), which we design and build in-house [3]. During an experiment, the AWGs produce static and time-varying voltages to move the ions around the trap, split chains apart and merge them together, and otherwise alter the trap potential.
As we expand and improve our quantum information processor, your project will be to increase the number of AWG channels (currently 32) and improve their capabilities (noise, stability and/or FPGA firmware features such as fast branching), while iteratively testing them on real ions in the lab.
Essential skills are a good working knowledge of digital and analog electronic design and some experience with C++ and/or Python programming. Desirable but non-essential skills are experience with FPGAs, PCB design (preferably using Altium Designer), and knowledge of low-noise analog systems and digital-analog converters.
[1] Wineland, Quantum information processing and quantum control with trapped atomic ions, Physica Scripta T137 (2009) 014007
[2] Monroe and Kim, Scaling the Ion Trap Quantum Information Processor, Science 339, 1164 (2013)
[3] MacDonald-de Neeve, DC Electrode Control of a Linear Paul Trap for Quantum Computing with Trapped Ions, semester thesis (2016) [ see https://www.tiqi.ethz.ch/publications-and-awards/semester-theses.html ]
We trap short chains of atomic ions using electric potentials within a Paul trap, and use each ion as a quantum bit within a small-scale quantum information processor (QIP) [1, 2]. We generate DC-coupled potentials (voltages) with arbitrary-waveform generators (AWGs), which we design and build in-house [3]. During an experiment, the AWGs produce static and time-varying voltages to move the ions around the trap, split chains apart and merge them together, and otherwise alter the trap potential.
As we expand and improve our quantum information processor, your project will be to increase the number of AWG channels (currently 32) and improve their capabilities (noise, stability and/or FPGA firmware features such as fast branching), while iteratively testing them on real ions in the lab.
Essential skills are a good working knowledge of digital and analog electronic design and some experience with C++ and/or Python programming. Desirable but non-essential skills are experience with FPGAs, PCB design (preferably using Altium Designer), and knowledge of low-noise analog systems and digital-analog converters.
[1] Wineland, Quantum information processing and quantum control with trapped atomic ions, Physica Scripta T137 (2009) 014007
[2] Monroe and Kim, Scaling the Ion Trap Quantum Information Processor, Science 339, 1164 (2013)
[3] MacDonald-de Neeve, DC Electrode Control of a Linear Paul Trap for Quantum Computing with Trapped Ions, semester thesis (2016) [ see https://www.tiqi.ethz.ch/publications-and-awards/semester-theses.html ]
During your project you will improve critical experimental control electronics, work on a leading quantum computing experiment, and help run some simple QIP protocols.
During your project you will improve critical experimental control electronics, work on a leading quantum computing experiment, and help run some simple QIP protocols.
Vlad Negnevitsky (nvlad@phys.ethz.ch)
Prof. Jonathan Home (jhome@phys.ethz.ch)
Vlad Negnevitsky (nvlad@phys.ethz.ch) Prof. Jonathan Home (jhome@phys.ethz.ch)