Arrays of individually controlled ions suitable for two-dimensional quantum simulations

TLDR

A precisely controlled quantum system can reveal fundamental insights into other systems, and while a universal quantum computer remains out of reach, analogue quantum simulators—already demonstrated in several platforms—offer a promising route to study complex dynamics. We realize scalable two‑dimensional arrays of three trapped ions in individually tunable harmonic wells forming equilateral triangles (40–80 µm side), enabling individual control of electronic and motional states, ground‑state‑near initialization, and tunable inter‑ion couplings. These results establish a platform that can serve as a programmable quantum simulator for arbitrary two‑dimensional systems.

Abstract

A precisely controlled quantum system may reveal a fundamental understanding of another, less accessible system of interest. A universal quantum computer is currently out of reach, but an analogue quantum simulator that makes relevant observables, interactions and states of a quantum model accessible could permit insight into complex dynamics. Several platforms have been suggested and proof-of-principle experiments have been conducted. Here, we operate two-dimensional arrays of three trapped ions in individually controlled harmonic wells forming equilateral triangles with side lengths 40 and 80 μm. In our approach, which is scalable to arbitrary two-dimensional lattices, we demonstrate individual control of the electronic and motional degrees of freedom, preparation of a fiducial initial state with ion motion close to the ground state, as well as a tuning of couplings between ions within experimental sequences. Our work paves the way towards a quantum simulator of two-dimensional systems designed at will.