Using a Trapped-Ion Simulator to Explore Mesoscopic Systems with Individual Atom Resolution

使用俘获离子模拟器探索具有单个原子分辨率的介观系统

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-05821
• 负责人: Haljan, Paul
• 金额: $ 1.97万
• 依托单位: Simon Fraser University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=615921
• 关键词: Using; Trapped; Ion; Simulator; Explore

Experiments with small arrays of laser-cooled trapped ions have demonstrated an impressive number of technical achievements towards the ultimate goal of large scale quantum information processing. At the heart of these achievements are ion-trap, laser, and other technologies that deliver exquisite control over experimental parameters at the level of single atoms. Taking advantage of these technologies, we aim to use the interactions between ions - derived from their Coulomb repulsion together with the trap and other applied electromagnetic fields - to investigate many-body physics with a flavor reminiscent of familiar models in condensed matter. Our investigations focus on the linear-zigzag structural phase transition in laser-cooled and trapped arrays of Ytterbium ions. The second-order nature of this transition, and the relative simplicity with which it can be controlled within an experimental setup, make for a fascinating testbed to investigate mesoscopic phase transitions in both the classical and quantum regimes, nonlinear dynamics, and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. We plan a test of the Kibble-Zurek mechanism for topological defect formation that improves upon prior experiments by our group and others for quenches across the linear-zigzag transition. We also plan to strike out in new directions, to investigate an ion crystal near the structural transition as a tunable model of heat transport in low-dimensional systems, and to investigate the transition at ultralow temperatures corresponding to a few quanta or less of thermal energy. In the latter case, our goal is to take advantage of the double-well potential that develops near the transition to control tunneling between the two zigzag structures of an ion crystal, realizing a tunable mesoscopic system reminiscent of the ammonia molecule. Be it for fundamental tests of quantum mechanics or for the investigation of dynamics in model materials, this program aims to push the limits of experimental control of trapped ions. In doing so, the techniques enabled by this grant will have an impact in the associated area of trapped-ion quantum technology, and indeed wherever quantum mechanical manipulation of information is being investigated, such as the areas of quantum information processing, nanotechnology, and materials research.

具有少量激光捕获的离子的实验表明，针对大规模量子信息处理的最终目标，具有令人印象深刻的技术成就。这些成就的核心是离子陷阱，激光和其他技术，这些技术可以在单个原子的水平上对实验参数进行精致的控制。利用这些技术，我们旨在利用离子之间的相互作用 - 从其库仑排斥以及陷阱和其他应用电磁场的相互作用 - 调查带有浓缩物质中熟悉模型的风味的多体物理学。 我们的研究集中于激光冷却和捕获的Ytterbium离子阵列中的线性 - Zigzag结构相变。这种过渡的二阶性质以及可以在实验设置中控制的相对简单性，使其引人入胜的测试床，以研究经典和量子方案，非线性动力学和非平衡统计力学中的介质相变。我们计划对拓扑缺陷形成的木珠机制的测试，该机制在我们的小组和其他人的先前实验中改善了整个线性 - Zigzag跃迁的淬火。我们还计划在新方向上进行罢工，以研究结构过渡附近的离子晶体作为低维系统中的热传输模型，并在超高温度下调查与几个量子或更少的热能的过渡。在后一种情况下，我们的目标是利用在离子晶体的两个锯齿形结构之间控制隧道附近发展的双孔电势，从而实现了可调节的中镜系统，让人联想到氨分子。 无论是用于量子力学的基本测试还是用于模型材料中动力学的研究，该程序旨在推动对捕获离子的实验控制的极限。这样一来，这笔赠款实现的技术将对被困的离子量子技术的相关领域产生影响，并且实际上正在研究信息的量子机械操纵，例如量子信息处理，纳米技术和材料研究的领域。