Chip-scale technology is necessary for atomic quantum devices of significantly reduced form factor. The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has demonstrated a microchip device for the confinement of atomic ions. Its unique set of performance characteristics, together with the scalable fabrication techniques used to produce it, render it an excellent platform for an elementary component in atomic quantum technologies. Clocks, sensors and scalable superpositions and entanglement will benefit. NPL will conduct ion trapping performance tests on devices produced in an earlier IUK Study. Kelvin Nanotechnology will enhance the existing full-wafer scale microfabrication process to produce ion microtraps with ~90% target yield. Optocap will develop the principles for a custom electronic package, to enable ample connectivity for these and more complex devices in the future. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt worldwide at this principle for ion microchip devices. This points the way towards the integration of these devices in atomic quantum instruments.
For further details to go: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=102674
