Trapped ions in optical tweezers*

Quantum simulation provides insight into the dynamics of complicated systems through the use of more controllable ones. We plan to combine 2-dimensional Yb⁺ ion crystals in a Paul trap with optical tweezers to create a novel platform for quantum simulations [1, 2]. The hyperfine splitting of the ground state of the ions is used as a qubit, and the interactions between the qubits are mediated by the phonon modes in the ion crystal [3]. Optical tweezers provide an additional trapping potential which changes the phonon mode spectrum of the crystal, expanding the range of accessible Hamiltonians [4, 5]. We present experimental work demonstrating an optimization routine for resonant tweezers using a spatial light modulator (SLM) [6]. We find this offers a fast and robust method for alignment on the ions. We further analyse the beam profile and observe coherent population trapping of the ion states. Lastly, we present our on-going efforts in aligning and optimizing a high power, off-resonant tweezer. This will be used to create a deep trapping potential, while minimising photon scattering, for quantum simulation.

[1] J.D. Espinoza, Phys. Rev. A 104, 013302 (2021)

[2] P. Richerme, Phys. Rev. A 94, 032320 (2016).

[3] K. Kim et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 120502 (2009)

[4] L. Bond, Phys. Rev. A 106, 042612 (2022)

[5] M. Mazzanti et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 260502 (2021)

[6] M. Mazzanti et al., Phys. Rev. A 110, 043105 (2024)