Trapped-ion quantum computing (opens in new tab)

The qubits in an ion-trap quantum computer are spatially confined charged particles, which are suspended in space using a combination of radio-frequency and electric fields. Qubit states are generated using two electronic levels of the ion, such as the ground state and an optically excited state, or two hyperfine electronic levels, depending on the atomic species being used and the wavelength of laser light available. Single-qubit operations are achieved through optical excitation between the...