Quantum optics experiments in a microstructured ion trap

This dissertation describes a prototype experiment aiming at the realization of scalable quantum information. The essential feature is the usage of a novel microstructured ion trap derived from the Paul trap. It allows for storing and manipulating a large number of ions, as compared to conventional linear Paul traps. This thesis describes how the way is paved towards the realization of quantum information experiments in this ion trap. An analysis of the electrostatic properties of the ion trap is presented, which is laying the foundation for understanding the limits of confinement stability and effects beyond standard Paul trap behavior. The focus of this work lies on the realization and characterization of single and dual qubit operations, which are achieved by means of (semiclassical) atom-light interaction. In our experiment, the qubit is implemented in the Zeeman sublevels of the ion’s ground state, i.e. in the spin of the bright electron of a 40Ca+ ion. The main body of this thesis then describes the realization of the necessary steps of preparation, manipulation and readout of this qubit. The preparation includes optical pumping and cooling close to the motional quantum ground state by means of sideband cooling. Several possible techniques for these steps are tested and analyzed. Coherent manipulations are carried out by means of stimulated Raman transitions. Here, a strong emphasis is put on the characterization of the various decoherence mechanisms, which are dominated by the motional excitation of the ion due to thermalization of the ion with the trap electrodes, and by imperfections in the ion-laser interactions. As by-product of the latter investigation, a new measurement scheme for the experimental determination of atomic dipole matrix elements is presented