Photonic Array for Highly-efficient Large-scale Ion Addressing

This collaboration between University of Cambridge, Dept of Engineering and Quantinuum Ltd aims to shrink the complex optical systems used for laser beam delivery in trapped atom and ion–based quantum computers. By combining tiny light-guiding circuits (called photonic integrated circuits or PICs) and special multifunctional optics (called metasurfaces), we are building a monolithic device that can precisely control and deliver 100’s of laser beams at multiple wavelengths (or colors). This will replace the current complex, bulky, hand-aligned systems, making quantum computers easier to build, cheaper and more scalable.