Quantum interface between an electrical circuit and a single atom

Published

March 30, 2012

Author(s)

Jacob M. Taylor, Dvir Kafri, David Kielpinski, G J. Milburn, M J. Woolley

Abstract

Atomic systems are remarkably well suited to storage and processing of quantum information. However, their properties are tightly constrained by physical law, causing difficulties in interfacing to optical or electronic devices. On the other hand, quantum electronic circuits, such as superconducting interference devices, may be easily engineered to the designer's specifications and are readily integrated with existing microelectronics. Here we develop an approach to bridge the divide between atomic systems and electronic devices using the coupling between the motion of a single ion and the quantised electric field of the circuit. Furthermore, we demonstrate a mechanism for strong, temperature-independent coupling between the internal states of a single atomic ion and the electrical excitations of a superconducting microwave resonator. Our results enable quantum interfaces between solid state qubits, atomic qubits, and light and lay the groundwork for a direct quantum connection between electrical and atomic metrology standards.

Citation

Nature

Pub Type

Journals

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DOI Link

Keywords

Ion traps, superconducting resonator, bulk acoustic waves

Citation

Taylor, J. , Kafri, D. , Kielpinski, D. , Milburn, G. and Woolley, M. (2012), Quantum interface between an electrical circuit and a single atom, Nature, [online], https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.130504 (Accessed October 28, 2025)