Laurent Stephenson (IntlAssoc)

I am a postdoctoral researcher working in Quantum I on the Magtrap project, where we perform entangling gates between trapped ²⁵Mg⁺ ions using magnetic field gradients oscillating at microwave and radio frequencies instead of more conventional laser-based gates. Our current research focuses on using ⁴⁰Ca⁺ as a “helper” ion so that the operation of ²⁵Mg⁺ is truly laser-free.

I completed my Ph.D. in 2020, working in Prof. David Lucas’s group at Oxford University. Our research on trapped ion quantum networks resulted in our generating entangled states of ⁸⁸Sr⁺ ions in separate vacuum systems, mediated by photons emitted spontaneously from the ions after excitation with a pulsed laser.

Both projects have significant classical control overheads; a large part of my expertise is devoted to keeping the lights on, using programming experience gained working in software development between my undergraduate and Ph.D.

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=RHPoHPcAAAAJ

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/a/stephenson_l_1.html