Microwave ion-trap quantum computing

摘要

The strange phenomena of quantum physics, such as the possibility of a single atom being in two different places simultaneously, have mystified experienced physicists and students alike. These phenomena are not just theoretical curiosities: a new, practical, field of quantum physics has become particularly vibrant during the past ten years. It concerns harnessing the power of quantum effects to produce an innovative type of technology - quantum technology. This has the potential to revolutionize computing. Although ways to implement this technology are being pursued in various physical systems, quantum computing using trapped ions1"3 has undoubtedly been the most successful so far. In this issue, Ospelkaus et al.~4 (page 181) and Timoney et al.~5 (page 185) describe a trapped-ion approach that further bolsters the enormous potential of this system for the implementation of large-scale quantum computers.