The ZuriQ Penning micro-trap array

Our technology aims to overcome the scaling challenges associated with scaling trapped-ion quantum computers, by employing only static electromagnetic fields to confine the ions compared to the radio-frequency oscillating fields used by all other companies. This is achieved by using a micro-fabricated chip with many electrodes that hold static voltages embedded in a large and homogenous static magnetic field. An immediate consequence of this approach is that single ions can be trapped anywhere above the chip where suitable electric field nulls can be created. As the voltages are then varied in time, full reconfigurability of the trap array in three dimensions can be achieved. This capability unlocks the full power of our new architecture.

Publications

Our initial theory proposal for large static arrays of ions can be found here:
Jain, S., Alonso, J., Grau, M. & Home, J. P. Scalable arrays of micro-Penning traps for quantum computing and simulation. Phys. Rev. X 10, 031027 (2020).

The first experimental demonstration of our architecture with a single ion can be found here:
Jain, S., Sägesser, T., Hrmo, P. et al. Penning micro-trap for quantum computing. Nature 627, 510–514 (2024).