Quantum systems containing metasurfaces with transparent conductive materials

Abstract

In various embodiments, a quantum object confinement device is provided that includes a plurality of electrodes and is configured to confine one or more quantum objects. Each electrode is configured to generate a confinement potential for confining one or more quantum objects, the confinement potential defining the positions of the one or more quantum objects. The quantum object confinement device includes one or more metasurfaces configured to be associated with the positions of the quantum objects. The metasurfaces are comprised of a plurality of transparent conductive oxide metamaterial structures.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 374,781, filed September 7, 2022, and U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 18 / 454,523, filed August 23, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. [Background technology]

[0002] Ion traps use electric and / or magnetic fields to trap one or more ions in a potential well. The ions and / or the quantum states of the ions confined by the potential well may be manipulated using laser beams, for example. However, delivering these laser beams to the location of ions within large ion traps presents significant challenges due to the low ion height above the trap, the Rayleigh range of the laser beam, and the amount of laser power that needs to be delivered to the ions within the trap to perform the desired manipulation. Through hard work, ingenuity, and innovation, many of the shortcomings of such conventional laser beam delivery systems have been overcome by developing solutions constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, many examples of which are described herein. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 717,602 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 199,279 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 200,263 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] Exemplary embodiments provide a confinement device, a quantum computer including the confinement device including a metasurface formed at least in part from a transparent conductive material, a transparent conductive material, a transparent electrode, etc., where the transparent electrode is configured to reduce static electricity buildup on the metasurface.

[0005] Exemplary embodiments provide methods, systems, devices, computer program products, etc. for providing one or more manipulation signals to a quantum object confined within a quantum object confinement device and / or for capturing and / or detecting (optical) signals emitted by the quantum object. In various embodiments, the quantum object is an atom, an ion, a pair or group of atoms and / or ions (e.g., an ionic crystal), a molecule, a quantum particle, etc. For example, in various embodiments, the quantum object is used as a qubit in a quantum computer. In various such embodiments, the manipulation signals are configured to control photoionization, state preparation, qubit detection and / or readout, cooling, shelving, repumping, single qubit gates, and two-qubit gates of the quantum computer. Although exemplary embodiments are described herein with respect to quantum computing applications (e.g., quantum charge coupled device (QCCD)-based quantum computers), various embodiments relate to quantum clocks and various other applications of quantum objects confined by respective quantum object confinement devices, lithographically defined arrays of quantum dots, and / or other applications requiring precise delivery of optical signals to specific locations and / or capture of emitted signals at specific locations.

[0006] In various embodiments, the quantum object confinement device has one or more metamaterial structures disposed / formed thereon and / or coupled / anchored thereto. In various embodiments, at least some of the metamaterial structures are configured such that an actuation signal incident on the metamaterial structures induces the metamaterial structures to emit a respective action signal at a corresponding quantum object location and / or portion thereof. In various embodiments, at least some of the metamaterial structures are configured such that an emission signal emitted by the quantum object at the corresponding quantum object location induces the metamaterial structures to emit a collection signal toward a collection optic configured to capture, detect, measure, etc. the collection signal.

[0007] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a system is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a quantum object confinement device including a plurality of electrodes configured to generate a confinement potential configured to confine one or more quantum objects, the confinement potential defining a plurality of quantum object locations; and one or more signal manipulation elements. Each signal manipulation element of the one or more signal manipulation elements (a) is associated with a respective quantum object location of the plurality of quantum object locations and (b) is configured to at least one of: (i) provide a induced collection signal at the respective collection location in response to an emission signal emitted by a quantum object at the respective quantum object location being incident on a collection array; or (ii) provide a induced action signal at the respective quantum object location in response to an incoming signal generated by a manipulation source being incident on an action array. At least one of the signal manipulation elements includes a metasurface including a plurality of structures at least partially formed of a transparent conductive material.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the multiple quantum object locations are arranged in a two-dimensional layout.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more signal manipulation elements includes a metamaterial array.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more signal manipulation elements include at least one of: (a) a metamaterial array; or (b) a diffractive optical element (DOE).

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object confinement device is a surface ion trap.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the operational array is configured for use in performing a quantum computer function selected from the group consisting of photoionizing a quantum object, state preparing a quantum object, reading the quantum state of a quantum object, cooling a quantum object or a crystal of a quantum object comprising the quantum object, shelving a quantum object, repumping a quantum object, performing a single qubit gate on a quantum object, and performing a multi-qubit gate on a set of quantum objects comprising the quantum object.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the metamaterial structures of the plurality of metamaterial structures is a pillar that extends a distance in the range of 0.5 nm to 1 μm from a surface of the quantum object confinement device.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the dielectric material may include a transparent conductive oxide, such as indium tin oxide (ITO). The one or more transparent conductive materials may create a metasurface and serve as optical devices and / or electrical contacts. In one or more embodiments, the one or more transparent conductive materials may be used as transparent electrodes for photoactive devices.

[0015] In various embodiments, one or more transparent conductive materials may be used as optical devices and / or as electrodes. The tunable electrical properties of transparent conductive materials allow for tuning using free carrier concentration.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more structures of the metasurface include one or more solid pillars of a transparent conductive material (eg, ITO).

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more structures of the metasurface include a dielectric core (eg, titanium dioxide) surrounded by a shell of transparent conductive material.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more photonic crystals may be made of a solid transparent conductive material (eg, ITO).

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the photonic crystal or crystals include a dielectric core (eg, titanium dioxide) surrounded by a shell of transparent conductive material.

[0020] Having thus broadly described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary quantum computing system including a quantum object confinement device including a metamaterial structure on a surface thereof, according to an example illustrative embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a surface of a quantum object confinement device according to an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic diagram of an enlarged portion of a surface of the quantum object confinement device shown in FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4A]1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a quantum object confinement device including an acting array formed of an array of metamaterial structures on a surface thereof, according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a quantum object confinement device including a collection array formed of an array of metamaterial structures on a surface thereof, according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an array of metamaterial structures according to an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a containment device according to an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of exemplary metamaterial structures composed of solid transparent conductive materials according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary metamaterial structure composed of a core of an oxide material and a shell made of a transparent conductive material in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a surface of a quantum object confinement device including another arrangement of metamaterial arrays on its surface, according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example controller of a quantum computer configured to perform one or more deterministic reshaping and / or reordering functions, according to various embodiments according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example computing entity of a quantum computer system that may be used by example embodiments according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. The term "or" (also written " / ") is used herein in both a disjunctive and conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. The terms "illustrative" and "exemplary" are used to be examples and do not denote a level of quality. The terms "generally," "substantially," and "approximately" refer to within engineering and / or manufacturing tolerances and / or the user's measurement capabilities, unless otherwise indicated. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0023] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless otherwise noted. The terms "includes" and / or "including," as used herein, designate the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the phrases "in an embodiment," "according to one embodiment," and the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic that follows the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present disclosure. The term "transparent," as used herein, means transparent to a particular wavelength of interest.

[0024] Various embodiments provide methods, devices, systems, computer program products, etc. for providing manipulation signals to quantum object locations within a quantum object confinement device and / or collecting, capturing, detecting, and / or measuring emission signals emitted by quantum objects confined by the quantum object confinement device. For example, various embodiments provide signal management systems that are associated with and / or include a quantum object confinement device and include one or more signal manipulation elements. In various embodiments, the one or more signal manipulation elements are used to provide manipulation signals to quantum object locations defined by the quantum object confinement device and / or to collect, capture, detect, and / or measure emission signals emitted by quantum objects at the quantum object locations.

[0025] In various embodiments, the quantum object is an atom and / or ion, a neutral or ionic molecule, a quantum particle, a quantum dot, and / or other object whose respective quantum state is controllable by application of an operating signal. The quantum object may be a qubit quantum object of a crystal of quantum objects comprising two or more quantum objects, and in exemplary embodiments, the two or more quantum objects of the crystal of quantum objects comprise quantum objects of at least two different atomic numbers. In exemplary embodiments, the quantum object confinement device is an ion trap (e.g., a surface ion trap, a Paul trap, etc.).

[0026] In various embodiments, one or more signal manipulation elements are positioned and / or attached to the quantum object confinement device such that the signal manipulation elements form at least a portion of a respective optical path between a respective quantum object location and a respective manipulation source and / or optical detector.

[0027] In various embodiments, at least one of the signal manipulation elements of the signal management system is disposed at least partially on a surface of the quantum object confinement device and / or within a first substrate on which the quantum object confinement device is formed. For example, in various embodiments, the quantum object confinement device is formed on a first substrate, and at least one signal manipulation element is formed and / or disposed on a surface of the first substrate. As should be understood, the first substrate may include multiple layers of circuitry configured to control various elements / components of the operation of the quantum object confinement device's functionality. In exemplary embodiments, at least one of the signal manipulation elements is part of the quantum object confinement device and is recessed and / or recessed relative to the surface of the quantum object confinement device. For example, the at least one signal manipulation element may be located within the first substrate and / or in a fabricated layer that is not directly on a surface defined by the plane of the quantum object confinement device. For example, the quantum object confinement device may have a hole or opening in the surface into which the at least one signal manipulation element is recessed. In exemplary embodiments, a transparent layer surrounds the at least one signal manipulation element within the hole or opening. Various embodiments provide quantum object confinement devices having one or more signal manipulation elements formed and / or disposed on a surface of the quantum object confinement device and / or as part of a substrate that includes the quantum object confinement device.

[0028] An exemplary embodiment provides a second substrate having one or more signal manipulation elements formed and / or disposed thereon that is mounted in fixed relationship relative to the quantum object confinement device such that manipulation signals can be provided to quantum object locations by respective signal manipulation elements of the second substrate.

[0029] In various embodiments, each signal manipulation element is formed and / or configured for use in performing one or more functions (e.g., photoionization, state preparation, qubit detection and / or readout, cooling, shelving, repumping, single qubit gate, or two-qubit gate) of a QCCD-based quantum computer. For example, in various embodiments, the signal management element is a metamaterial array including a plurality of metamaterial structures. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of metamaterial structures is a positive metamaterial structure (e.g., a pillar, column, cylinder, etc.). In various embodiments, each of the plurality of metamaterial structures is a negative metamaterial structure (e.g., a hole, dimple, pocket, bubble, etc.). In various embodiments, the metamaterial array may include a combination of positive and negative metamaterial structures. In various embodiments, some of the metamaterial arrays consist of and / or include positive metamaterial structures, and other metamaterial arrays consist of and / or include negative metamaterial structures.

[0030] In various embodiments, each signal manipulation element is configured to provide a resonant response to incident signals (e.g., incoming manipulation signals and / or emitted signals) in a respective specific wavelength range. In various embodiments, the signal manipulation elements are metasurfaces including one or more metamaterial structures formed of a transparent conductive material that is transparent to wavelengths within the respective specific wavelength range. For example, for incident signals (and / or portions thereof) characterized by wavelengths within the respective specific wavelength ranges, the signal manipulation element is induced to emit a controlled guided signal (e.g., controlled in terms of direction, focus, beam profile, polarization, etc.) as a result of the incident signal being incident on the signal manipulation element. However, if the incident signal (and / or portions thereof) are characterized by one or more wavelengths outside the respective specific wavelength ranges, the resulting signal will have a uniform phase delay applied but will not be subject to the focusing, polarization control, beam profile control, etc. of the controlled guided signal. In other words, in various embodiments, the signal manipulation element may be used as a chromatic filter. For example, one or more signals of different wavelengths and / or signals including different wavelengths may be incident on the signal manipulation element. The color filtering performed by the signal manipulation element (e.g., a metamaterial array configured to have a resonant response to each particular wavelength) causes the controlled guided signal to include only wavelengths in each particular wavelength and / or wavelength range that the signal manipulation element is configured to use at those wavelengths. For example, an incoming manipulation signal incident on the signal manipulation element will be focused to a corresponding quantum object location only when the incoming manipulation signal is characterized by a wavelength within each particular wavelength range.

[0031] In various embodiments, a signal manipulation element is configured to have two or more manipulation signals incident thereon and to be induced to emit respective action signals in response to the manipulation signals. For example, a signal manipulation element may be configured to be induced to emit a first action signal in response to a first manipulation signal of a first wavelength and a first polarization incident thereon, the first action signal having a wavelength corresponding to the first wavelength, a polarization corresponding to the first polarization, and directed toward a first portion of corresponding quantum object locations. In exemplary embodiments, the same signal manipulation element is configured to be induced to emit a second action signal in response to a second manipulation signal of a second wavelength and a second polarization incident thereon, the second action signal having a wavelength corresponding to the second wavelength, a polarization corresponding to the second polarization, and directed toward a second portion of corresponding quantum object locations. In various embodiments, the first wavelength and the second wavelength are substantially the same, and the first polarization and the second polarization are different. In exemplary embodiments, the first wavelength and the second wavelength are different, and the first polarization and the second polarization are substantially the same. In exemplary embodiments, the first wavelength and the second wavelength are different, and the first polarization and the second polarization are different. The first portion of quantum object positions and the second portion of quantum object positions may or may not overlap, depending on the application. In various embodiments, the first manipulation signal and the second manipulation signal may be provided at least partially simultaneously. For example, the first manipulation signal and the second manipulation signal may be incident on the signal manipulation element at the same time for at least a portion of the time that the first manipulation signal and / or the second manipulation signal is incident on the signal manipulation element. In exemplary embodiments, the first manipulation signal and the second manipulation signal are provided separately (e.g., non-overlapping in time).

[0032] In various embodiments, the signal manipulation elements are configured to be induced to emit action signals and / or collection signals in response to incoming manipulation signals and / or emitted signals within a corresponding wavelength range incident on the signal manipulation element. For example, each function of a quantum computer may be associated with one or more wavelengths. Thus, each signal manipulation element may correspond to one or more functions of the quantum computer, which correspond to wavelengths within the wavelength range at which the multiple metamaterial structures of each signal manipulation element are configured to operate.

[0033] In various embodiments, each signal manipulation element is associated with a corresponding quantum object location defined by the quantum object confinement device. In various embodiments, one or more quantum object locations defined by the quantum object confinement device are associated with an array of signal manipulation elements including multiple signal manipulation elements. In various embodiments, each signal manipulation element of the array of signal manipulation elements associated with the quantum object confinement device is configured for use in performing one or more functions of a quantum computer (e.g., photoionization, state preparation, qubit detection and / or readout, cooling, shelving, repumping, single-qubit gate, two-qubit gate, emitted signal detection, etc.). For example, performing various functions of a quantum computer may include using manipulation signals and / or detecting emitted signals of different wavelengths. Different signal manipulation elements are configured for use at different wavelengths, such that a particular signal manipulation element of the array of signal manipulation elements is configured for use in performing one or more corresponding functions of a quantum computer at an associated quantum object location.

[0034] In various embodiments, the signal manipulation elements are configured to be induced to emit action signals and / or collection signals in response to incoming manipulation signals and / or emitted signals within a corresponding wavelength range incident on the signal manipulation element. For example, each function of a quantum computer may be associated with one or more wavelengths. Thus, each signal manipulation element may correspond to one or more functions of the quantum computer, which correspond to wavelengths within the wavelength range at which the multiple metamaterial structures of each signal manipulation element are configured to operate.

[0035] Traditionally, metasurfaces are formed from dielectric materials. However, placing a dielectric material on the surface of a quantum object confinement device can lead to the accumulation of static charge on and / or near the quantum object confinement device. As the size of the quantum object confinement device (and the number of metasurfaces thereon) increases, the likelihood of static charge accumulation on and / or near the quantum object confinement device also increases. Therefore, a technical problem exists regarding how to provide an operating signal to a quantum object confinement device using a metasurface that can be scaled to the size and / or dimensions of the quantum object confinement device while reducing the likelihood of static charge accumulation on the quantum object confinement device.

[0036] Various embodiments provide technical solutions to these technical problems. In particular, in various embodiments, the metasurface includes a transparent conductive material. For example, in various embodiments, the metasurface includes a transparent conductive oxide (e.g., ITO, etc.). In various embodiments, the metasurface includes a surface (e.g., formed by the outer surfaces of multiple structures comprising the metasurface) made of the transparent conductive material such that the surface can be grounded to prevent the accumulation of static charge on the surface. Thus, various embodiments provide technical solutions to the technical problem of how to provide an operating signal to a quantum object confinement device such that the accumulation of static charge on and / or near the metasurface is reduced.

[0037] Exemplary Quantum Computing Systems Including Quantum Object Confinement Devices FIG. 1 provides a schematic diagram of an exemplary quantum computing system 100 including a quantum object confinement device 300 (e.g., an ion trap, etc.) according to an example embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 6, in various embodiments, a plurality of signal manipulation elements are formed and / or disposed on a surface of the quantum object confinement device. In various embodiments, at least some of the signal manipulation elements formed and / or disposed on the surface of the quantum object confinement device are configured to be induced to emit an action signal directed toward and / or focused on a respective quantum object location in response to an incoming signal being incident on at least some of the signal manipulation elements. The incoming signal is at least a portion of a manipulation signal generated by manipulation source 60 of quantum computer 110. In various embodiments, at least one signal manipulation element formed and / or disposed on the surface of the quantum object confinement device is configured to be induced to emit a collection signal directed toward and / or focused on a collection location corresponding to the respective quantum object location (e.g., where a corresponding collection optic is disposed) in response to an emission signal emitted by a quantum object at the respective quantum object location.

[0038] In various embodiments, quantum computing system 100 includes computing entity 10 and quantum computer 110. In various embodiments, quantum computer 110 includes controller 30, a cryostat and / or vacuum chamber 40 surrounding confinement device 300 (e.g., an ion trap), and one or more manipulation sources 60. For example, cryostat and / or vacuum chamber 40 may be a pressure-controlled chamber. In exemplary embodiments, manipulation signals generated by manipulation source 60 are provided to the interior of cryostat and / or vacuum chamber 40 (where quantum object confinement device 300 resides) through corresponding optical paths 66 (e.g., 66A, 66B, 66C). In various embodiments, optical paths 66 are at least partially defined by one or more components and / or elements of a signal management system. For example, at least one of optical paths 66 includes and / or is partially defined by a signal manipulation element of the signal management system.

[0039] In exemplary embodiments, one or more manipulation sources 60 may include one or more lasers (optical laser, microwave source, etc.). In various embodiments, each manipulation source 60 is configured to generate a manipulation signal having a respective characteristic wavelength in the microwave, infrared, visible, or ultraviolet portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. In various embodiments, one or more manipulation sources 60 are configured to manipulate and / or cause the controlled quantum state evolution of one or more quantum objects within the confinement device. For example, in exemplary embodiments in which one or more manipulation sources 60 include one or more lasers, the lasers may provide one or more laser beams to quantum objects trapped by the confinement device 300 within the cryostat and / or vacuum chamber 40.

[0040] For example, manipulation source 60 generates a manipulation signal that is provided as an incoming signal to an appropriate signal manipulation element of a signal management system. The incoming signal incident on the signal manipulation element, e.g., a metamaterial array, induces the multiple metamaterial structures of the metamaterial array to emit an action signal directed and / or focused at a corresponding quantum object location in the quantum object confinement device. For example, manipulation source 60 may be configured to generate one or more beams that may be used to initialize a quantum object to a state in qubit space, perform one or more gates on one or more qubits of a confined quantum object quantum computer, read and / or determine the state of one or more qubits of a confined quantum object quantum computer, etc., so that the quantum object may be used as a qubit in a confined quantum object quantum computer.

[0041] In various embodiments, quantum computer 110 includes an optical collection system 70 configured to collect and / or detect photons generated by a qubit (e.g., during a readout procedure). Optical collection system 70 may be comprised of one or more optical elements (e.g., lenses, mirrors, waveguides, fiber optic cables, etc.) and one or more photodetectors. In various embodiments, the photodetectors may be photodiodes, photomultiplier tubes, charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors, complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors, and / or other photodetectors that are sensitive to light at the expected fluorescence wavelengths of the quantum computer's qubits. In various embodiments, the detectors may be in electronic communication with controller 30, such as via one or more A / D converters ( FIG. 1 ). For example, a quantum object being readout and / or having its quantum state determined may emit an emission signal, at least a portion of which is incident on a collection array of a signal management system. An emission signal incident on the collection array induces the plurality of metamaterial structures of the collection array to emit a detecting signal that is directed and / or focused towards the collection optics of the quantum object confinement device, the collection optics being configured to provide the collected signal to a photodetector.

[0042] In various embodiments, quantum computer 110 includes one or more voltage sources 50. For example, voltage sources 50 may include multiple voltage drivers and / or voltage sources and / or at least one RF driver and / or voltage source. Voltage sources 50 may be electrically coupled to corresponding potential-generating elements (e.g., electrodes) of containment device 300 in exemplary embodiments.

[0043] In various embodiments, computing entity 10 is configured to allow a user to provide input to quantum computer 110 (e.g., via a user interface of computing entity 10) and receive, view, etc. output from quantum computer 110. Computing entity 10 may communicate with a controller 30 of quantum computer 110 via one or more wired or wireless networks 20 and / or via direct wired and / or wireless communication. In exemplary embodiments, computing entity 10 may convert, organize, format, etc., information / data, quantum computing algorithms and / or circuits, etc. into a computing language, executable instructions, command set, etc. that can be understood and / or implemented by controller 30.

[0044] In various embodiments, controller 30 is configured to control voltage source 50, a cryostat system and / or vacuum system controlling the temperature and pressure within cryostat and / or vacuum chamber 40, manipulation source 60, optical collection system 70, and / or other systems controlling various environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.) within cryostat and / or vacuum chamber 40, and / or to manipulate and / or cause the controlled evolution of the quantum states of one or more quantum objects within the containment device. For example, controller 30 may cause the controlled evolution of the quantum states of one or more quantum objects within the containment device to execute a quantum circuit and / or algorithm. For example, controller 30 may cause a readout procedure including coherent shelving, perhaps as part of the execution of a quantum circuit and / or algorithm. In various embodiments, the quantum objects confined within the containment device are used as qubits in quantum computer 110.

[0045] Exemplary Quantum Object Confinement Devices In various embodiments, the quantum object confinement device includes a plurality of electrodes configured to generate a confinement potential. For example, controller 30 may control voltage source 50 to provide an electrical signal to electrodes of the quantum object confinement device such that the electrodes generate the confinement potential. The confinement potential is configured to confine the plurality of quantum objects within a confinement volume defined by the quantum object confinement device. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object confinement device is a surface ion trap, and the confinement volume is a volume located proximate to a surface of the surface ion trap. In various embodiments, the electrodes and / or the confinement potential are configured to define a plurality of quantum object positions within the confinement volume.

[0046] In various embodiments, the quantum object locations are arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional layout. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object locations are arranged along the axis of a linear quantum object confinement device. In another exemplary embodiment, the quantum object locations are arranged in a two-dimensional array or layout defined by a two-dimensional quantum object confinement device. An exemplary linear quantum object confinement device is described by U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0229999, filed December 17, 2019, although various other linear quantum object confinement devices may be used in various embodiments. An exemplary two-dimensional quantum object confinement device is described by U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0229999, filed December 17, 2020, although various other two-dimensional quantum object confinement devices may be used in various embodiments.

[0047] In various embodiments, the confinement potential evolves over time based on an electrical signal provided to the electrodes by voltage source 50. The evolution of the confinement potential may be configured to move one or more quantum objects from a respective first quantum object position to a respective second quantum object position. FIGS. 2 and 3 each show a portion of an exemplary two-dimensional quantum object confinement device 300 including a sequence of electrodes 310 separated by a spacing factor α. In exemplary embodiments, the spacing factor α is in the range between 500 μm and 1000 μm (e.g., about 750 μm). The sequence of electrodes 310 defines a plurality of quantum object positions 305. In various embodiments, quantum object location 305 is a volume corresponding to a portion of quantum object path 320 in which electrodes 310 are configured to maintain quantum objects (e.g., as part of a quantum object crystal) and / or pairs or sets of quantum objects (e.g., to perform two or more qubit gates) for the performance of a quantum computer function, and / or to store one or more quantum objects during the performance of a quantum computer function relative to other quantum objects at other quantum locations.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the sequence of electrodes 310 defines a plurality of islands 330 and quantum object paths 320. In various embodiments, the quantum objects may move between various quantum object locations 305 along the quantum object paths 320. Generally, the quantum objects are not located on the islands 330. In various embodiments, one or more signal manipulation elements (e.g., acting arrays) may be disposed and / or formed on the islands 330. In various embodiments, one or more signal manipulation elements (e.g., collecting arrays) may be disposed and / or formed on the quantum object paths 320.

[0049] In various embodiments, voltage source 50 provides an electrical signal to a potential-generating element (e.g., electrode 310) of confinement device 300 such that a confinement potential is formed. Based on the contour and time evolution of the confinement potential, one or more quantum objects are confined at respective quantum object locations, moved between quantum object locations, etc. When the quantum objects are at the quantum object locations, one or more functions (e.g., quantum computing functions) may be performed on the quantum objects. An exemplary function that may be performed on a quantum object is photoionization of the quantum object. For example, an operating signal may be applied to the quantum object to photoionize the quantum object.

[0050] Another exemplary function that may be performed on a quantum object is state preparation of the quantum object. For example, one or more manipulation signals may be applied to the quantum object to prepare the quantum object in a particular quantum state. For example, the particular quantum state may be a state within a defined qubit space used by a quantum computer such that the quantum object may be used as a qubit of the quantum computer.

[0051] Another exemplary function that may be performed on a quantum object is reading out the quantum state of the quantum object. For example, an operating signal (e.g., a readout signal) may be applied to the quantum object. When the wave function of the quantum object collapses to a first state in the qubit space, the quantum object fluoresces in response to the application of the readout signal to the quantum object. When the wave function of the quantum object collapses to a second state in the qubit space, the quantum object does not fluoresce in response to the application of the readout signal to the quantum object.

[0052] Another exemplary function that may be performed on a quantum object is cooling of a quantum object or a crystal of a quantum object that includes the quantum object. A crystal of a quantum object is a pair or set of quantum objects, where one of the quantum objects of the crystal of a quantum object is used as a qubit in a quantum computer, and one or more other quantum objects of the crystal of a quantum object are used to perform sympathetic cooling of the qubit quantum object. For example, an operating signal (e.g., a cooling signal or a sympathetic cooling signal) may be applied to the quantum object or the crystal of the quantum object to cause the (qubit) quantum object to cool (e.g., reduce the vibrational and / or other kinetic energy of the (qubit) quantum object).

[0053] Another exemplary function that may be performed on a quantum object is shelving of the quantum object. In various embodiments, a quantum object in a second state in the qubit space may be shelved during execution of a read function. For example, the shelving operation may include evolving the quantum state of the quantum object in the second state in the qubit space to at least a metastable state outside of the qubit space while the read operation is being performed. An exemplary shelving process is described by U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0229999, filed February 25, 2021, although various other shelving processes may be used in various embodiments. In various embodiments, shelving of the quantum object is performed by applying one or more operating signals to the quantum object while the quantum object is in the second state in the qubit space to evolve the quantum state of the quantum object to at least a metastable state outside of the qubit space.

[0054] Another exemplary function that may be performed on a quantum object is (optical) repumping of the quantum object. In various embodiments, repumping of the quantum object involves applying one or more manipulation signals to the quantum object to evolve the quantum state of the quantum object to an excited state.

[0055] Another exemplary function that may be performed on a quantum object is performing a single qubit gate on the quantum object. For example, one or more manipulation signals may be applied to the quantum object to perform a single qubit quantum gate on the quantum object.

[0056] Another exemplary function that may be performed on a quantum object is performing a two-qubit gate on the quantum object. For example, one or more operating signals may be applied to a pair or set of quantum objects that includes a quantum object to perform a two-qubit (or three, four, or more) quantum gate on the quantum object and at least one other quantum object.

[0057] In various embodiments, the quantum object locations may be arranged in a one-dimensional layout. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object locations are arranged along the axis of a linear quantum object confinement device. In one or more embodiments, the quantum object locations may be arranged in a two-dimensional layout. In another example, the quantum object locations are arranged in a two-dimensional array or layout that may be defined by a linear axis and a perpendicular axis of the quantum object confinement device.

[0058] In various embodiments, quantum object confinement device 300 includes one or more signal manipulation elements. In various embodiments, one or more of the signal manipulation elements is a metamaterial array, with each metamaterial array including a plurality of metamaterial structures, each defining and / or including a respective metamaterial surface. The array of metamaterial structures (e.g., a composite surface formed by combining the respective metamaterial surfaces of the plurality of metamaterial structures) forms and / or provides a photonic metasurface. The terms metamaterial array and photonic metasurface are used interchangeably herein.

[0059] Photonic metasurfaces are artificial surfaces designed to manipulate light through coherent interference, achieved by localized control of the amplitude, phase, and / or polarization of reflected or transmitted light. This control is achieved by an array of light-scattering elements (e.g., metamaterial structures) spaced on a subwavelength scale, each of which has dimensions on a subwavelength scale in at least one dimension. For example, as used herein, photonic metasurfaces refer to composite metasurfaces formed by multiple metamaterial structures in a metamaterial array. The metamaterial structures in a metamaterial array are high-contrast (compared to the rest of the surface of the quantum object confinement device 300) structures on the order of wavelength or subwavelength (e.g., nanometer scale), and the geometry, size, arrangement, and orientation of these structures control the phase, amplitude, and polarization of electromagnetic waves. This control of electromagnetic waves is not a result of the bulk material used to create the metamaterial structures, but rather the size and shape of the metamaterial structures.

[0060] In various embodiments, the metamaterial structures may be columns, pillars, etc. For example, in various embodiments, each metamaterial structure may be comprised of a solid metamaterial structure. For example, in exemplary embodiments, one or more metamaterial structures may be comprised of a solid core of a transparent conductive oxide such as, for example, ITO. In various embodiments, one or more metamaterial structures may be comprised of a core made of a dielectric and / or non-conductive oxide material (e.g., titanium dioxide), with a shell comprising a transparent conductive oxide (e.g., ITO) at least partially covering and / or surrounding the core.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, metamaterial structures (pillars, columns, etc.) may be used as photonic crystals. In some embodiments, photonic crystals are periodic dielectric structures that may be designed to shape the energy band structure of photons. In one or more embodiments, one or more photonic crystals enable the propagation of electromagnetic waves. In one or more embodiments, metamaterial structures (pillars, columns, etc.) may be used as diffractive optical elements (DOEs, e.g., lenses, diffraction gratings, etc.). In some embodiments, diffractive optical elements may operate by interfering with and / or diffracting one or more incident signals to generate desired guided signals.

[0062] In various embodiments, one or more photonic metasurfaces configured to modify the geometric phase using one or more electric or magnetic resonances are used. In various embodiments, photonic metasurfaces (e.g., truncated waveguides) are used that may be configured to modify the propagation phase without resonance. In various embodiments, the photonic metasurfaces are dielectric (e.g., an array of metamaterial structures forming the photonic metasurface includes a dielectric core) and / or plasmonic metasurfaces that use two or more electric or magnetic resonances of any order to locally create the desired phase and amplitude response of each photonic metasurface. Various other types of metamaterial structures defining various types of metamaterial surfaces are used in various embodiments.

[0063] In various embodiments, the photonic metasurface is designed and / or configured to generate electromagnetic waves, radiation, beams, and / or signals in a particular and / or designated direction, e.g., due to the phase of electric and magnetic dipoles being established at the surface of the constituent metamaterial structures. In various embodiments, the metamaterial structures include positive and / or negative structures shaped and / or sized such that a metamaterial array formed by a plurality of metamaterial structures is configured to provide an actuation signal to respective quantum object locations of a quantum object confinement device in response to an incoming signal being incident on at least a portion of the metamaterial array, and / or to provide a collection signal to collection optics of a quantum computer in response to an emitted signal being incident on at least a portion of the metamaterial array.

[0064] Conventional metasurfaces formed of dielectric materials and located near confined quantum objects can pose a significant risk of static charge accumulation on the metasurface. In various embodiments, the use of a transparent conductive material (e.g., ITO) to form at least the shell of the metamaterial structure mitigates the risk of static charge accumulation near the location defined by the confinement device (e.g., near the quantum object) while maintaining high optical efficiency. For example, various embodiments provide confinement devices and / or systems including the confinement devices configured to reduce static charge accumulation due to the use of a dielectric material on the surface of the confinement device (e.g., for forming the metasurface thereon). In various embodiments, static charge accumulation on the metasurface is reduced relative to conventional dielectric metasurfaces by the use of a transparent conductive material to at least partially form the metasurface on the surface of the confinement device.

[0065] In one or more embodiments, at least one metasurface may be defined by a two-dimensional array of metamaterial structures. In various embodiments, at least one metasurface may be comprised of one or more metamaterial structures. One or more metamaterial structures (e.g., pillars, columns, etc.) may be comprised of a transparent conductive material (e.g., a transparent conductive oxide, etc.). In one or more embodiments, one or more metamaterial structures (e.g., pillars, columns, etc.) may be comprised of a solid structure of transparent conductive material. In various embodiments, one or more metamaterial structures (e.g., pillars, columns, etc.) may be comprised of a core, which may be made of a dielectric and / or non-conductive oxide material (e.g., titanium dioxide), and which may be covered by a shell made of a transparent conductive material (e.g., a transparent conductive oxide, etc.).

[0066] FIG. 4C illustrates a portion of an exemplary signal manipulation element, such as acting array 400 and / or collection array 440. The exemplary signal manipulation element includes a plurality of metamaterial structures 410. The geometry, size, arrangement, and / or polarization of the guided acting and / or collected signals emitted by the corresponding signal manipulation element. In various embodiments, each metamaterial structure of the plurality of metamaterial structures 410 is a pillar extending from the surface of quantum object confinement device 300 a distance ranging from 0.5 nm to 1 μm. In various embodiments, the metamaterial structures are nanometer-scale structures. For example, the metamaterial structures are subwavelength structures. In various embodiments, subwavelength structures are structures that extend from the surface and / or are smaller than the wavelength of the emitted signal intended to be incident on the structure and / or are smaller than the wavelength of the acting and / or collected signals intended to be emitted by the structure. In various embodiments, the metamaterial structures may be formed or made of a conductive material, a semiconductor material, and / or a dielectric material. In various embodiments, the metamaterial structures are negative structures.

[0067] In various embodiments, the spacing and / or height of the metamaterial structures in the metamaterial array influences and / or determines the direction in which an induced interaction signal or collection signal emitted by the metamaterial array propagates. For example, the spacing and / or height of the metamaterial structures in the interaction array 400 may be configured to allow an induced interaction signal to be directed and / or focused at a corresponding quantum object location 305. For example, the spacing and / or height of the metamaterial structures in the collection array may be configured to allow an induced collection signal to be directed and / or focused at a corresponding detection location 445.

[0068] Exemplary metasurfaces In various embodiments, the signal management system is configured to control the provision and / or collection of signals to and / or from each quantum object location defined by quantum object confinement device 300. In various embodiments, the signal management system defines an optical path used to provide a signal to each quantum object location. The optical path includes a respective signal manipulation element. In various embodiments, the signal manipulation element is configured to allow the optical path to traverse relative to surface 350 of the quantum object confinement device.

[0069] In various embodiments, quantum object confinement device 300 includes one or more signal manipulation elements. In various embodiments, one or more of the signal manipulation elements is a metamaterial array, where each metamaterial array includes multiple metamaterial structures, each defining and / or including a respective metamaterial surface. The array of metamaterial structures (e.g., a composite surface formed by combining the respective metamaterial surfaces of multiple metamaterial structures) forms and / or provides a photonic metasurface. The terms metamaterial array and photonic metasurface are used interchangeably herein. A photonic metasurface is an artificial surface designed to manipulate light through coherent interfaces implemented by local control of the amplitude, phase, and / or polarization of reflected or transmitted light. This control is implemented by an array of light scattering elements (e.g., metamaterial structures) spaced on a sub-wavelength scale, each of which has dimensions on a sub-wavelength scale in at least one dimension. For example, as used herein, a photonic metasurface refers to a composite metasurface formed by multiple metamaterial structures of a metamaterial array. The metamaterial structures of the metamaterial array are high-contrast (compared to the rest of the surface of quantum object confinement device 300) structures on the order of wavelength or sub-wavelength (e.g., nanometer scale), whose geometry, size, arrangement, and orientation control the phase, amplitude, and polarization of the electromagnetic waves. This control of the electromagnetic waves is not a result of the bulk material used to make the metamaterial structures, but rather, a result of the size and shape of the metamaterial structures.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, the signal manipulation elements are formed, deposited, and / or disposed on a surface of the quantum object confinement device. FIG. 4A shows a partial cross-sectional view of a quantum object confinement device in which an action array 400 is used to apply manipulation signals to quantum object locations 305. For example, controller 30 controls one or more manipulation sources 60 to generate the manipulation signals. The manipulation signals are provided to quantum object confinement device 300 as incoming signals 62 propagating transversely to a plane defined by surface 350 of quantum object confinement device 300 such that incoming signals 62 are incident on action array 400. The incident signals 62 on action array 400 cause respective induced action signals 64 to be emitted toward corresponding quantum object locations 305. For example, induced action signals 64 are incident on quantum objects 5 at quantum object locations 305. As used herein, action array 400 is a signal manipulation element configured to provide induced action signals to respective quantum object locations in response to incident signals generated by a manipulation source on action array 400. In the illustrated embodiment, working array 400 is formed on portions of surface 350 of quantum object confinement device 300 that correspond to electrodes 310 and / or islands 330 .

[0071] 4B shows a partial cross-sectional view of a quantum object confinement device in which a collection array 440 is used to collect emission signals generated by quantum objects 5 at each quantum object location. For example, during a qubit readout function, a quantum object 5 at, for example, quantum object location 305 may be caused to emit emission signal 72. At least a portion of emission signal 72 is incident on collection array 440. The incidence of at least a portion of emission signal 72 on collection array 440 causes a stimulated collected signal 74 to be emitted from collection array 440 toward detection location 445. In various embodiments, collection optics are located and / or positioned at detection location 445. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, collection optics includes one or more optical elements, such as collection lens 420, configured to couple at least a portion of collected signal 74 into collection fiber 425.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the collection lens 420 is a metasurface lens formed at least in part from a transparent conductive oxide. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, the collection lens 420 is a transparent electrode. The collection lens 420 is formed on and / or within an adjacent substrate.

[0073] In various embodiments, adjacent substrate 460 is attached and / or fixed relative to confinement device 300. In exemplary embodiments, one or more electrodes (e.g., collection lens 420, etc.) are formed and / or disposed on adjacent substrate 460. For example, an electrical signal may be provided to one or more electrodes (e.g., collection lens 420, etc.) formed and / or disposed on adjacent substrate 460 to generate one or more electric fields that exert forces on one or more quantum objects confined by confinement device 300. For example, one or more electrodes (e.g., collection lens 420, etc.) formed on adjacent substrate 460 may be configured to at least partially define and / or control the confinement volume of confinement device 300. For example, one or more electrodes (e.g., collection lens 420, etc.) formed on adjacent substrate 460 may be configured to at least partially define and / or control the confinement volume by affecting the electrical environment (e.g., electrical potential and / or electric field) experienced by one or more quantum objects confined within the confinement volume.

[0074] FIG. 4C illustrates a portion of an exemplary signal manipulation element, such as an acting array 400 and / or a collecting array 440. The exemplary signal manipulation element includes a plurality of metamaterial structures 410. The geometry, size, arrangement, and / or orientation of the plurality of metamaterial structures 410 control the phase, amplitude, and polarization of the guided acting signal and / or collected signal emitted by the corresponding signal manipulation element. In various embodiments, each metamaterial structure of the plurality of metamaterial structures 410 is a pillar extending a distance ranging from 0.5 nm to 1 μm from the surface 450 of the quantum object confinement device 300 and / or the adjacent substrate 460 (fixed relative to the confinement device 300). For example, the metamaterial structure is a nanometer-scale structure. In various embodiments, the metamaterial structure is a sub-wavelength structure. In various embodiments, the sub-wavelength structure is a structure that extends from the surface 350 and / or has a diameter / edge length that is less than the wavelength of the incoming signal and / or the wavelength of the emission signal intended to be incident on the structure and / or the wavelength of the acting signal and / or the collected signal intended to be emitted by the structure. In various embodiments, the metamaterial structure may be formed or made of a conductive material, a semiconducting material, and / or a dielectric material. In various embodiments, the metamaterial structure is a negative structure (e.g., a hole, a dimple, etc.).

[0075] In various embodiments, the radius and / or height (positive or negative) of the metamaterial structures and the spacing of the metamaterial structures within a signal manipulation element (e.g., a metamaterial array) influence and / or determine the efficiency with which the signal manipulation element converts the energy and / or energy flux of an incoming signal into an actuated signal and / or the energy and / or energy flux of an emitted signal into a collected signal.

[0076] In various embodiments, the shape of the metamaterial structure of the metamaterial array (e.g., in cross section in a plane substantially parallel to surface 350 of quantum object confinement device 300) affects and / or defines the polarization of the induced action signal or collection signal emitted by the metamaterial array.

[0077] In various embodiments, the spacing and / or height of the metamaterial structures in the metamaterial array influences and / or determines the direction in which an induced interaction signal or a collection signal emitted by the metamaterial array propagates. For example, the spacing and / or height of the metamaterial structures in the interaction array 400 may be configured to allow an induced interaction signal to be directed and / or focused at a corresponding quantum object location 305. For example, the spacing and / or height of the metamaterial structures in the collection array 440 may be configured to allow an induced collection signal to be directed and / or focused at a corresponding detection location 445.

[0078] In various embodiments, the working array 400 and / or the collecting array 440 of the quantum object confinement device 300 are formed and / or disposed on the surface 350 of the quantum object confinement device 300. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the surface 350 of the quantum object confinement device 300 is comprised of a plurality of metamaterial structures 410 (e.g., manipulating elements). In various embodiments, one or more of the metamaterial structures 410 may be comprised of an oxide and / or an electrically insulating layer. In various embodiments, the one or more metamaterial structures 410 are comprised of a transparent conductive material (e.g., ITO). A metamaterial structure comprised of a transparent conductive material provides high optical efficiency to the system while mitigating static charge buildup on and / or around the surface of the quantum object confinement device 300. In various embodiments, the plurality of metamaterial structures 410 comprises a 2D array of the working array 400 and / or the collecting array 440 to reduce static charge buildup in the system. In one or more embodiments, a metasurface formed by a plurality of metamaterial structures including transparent conductive materials may be used as a transparent electrode for a photoactive device (e.g., a PV cell, a light modulator, etc.) in addition to functioning as the acting array 400 and / or the collecting array 440.

[0079] In various embodiments, multiple metamaterial structures 410 on the surface of quantum object confinement device 300 may be composed of a non-conductive oxide core 603B with a transparent conductive material shell 603A at its outer portion. In various embodiments, metamaterial structure 410 may be composed of core 603B made of a dielectric material (e.g., titanium dioxide) and shell 603A of a transparent conductive material (e.g., ITO), where core 603B and shell 603A reduce static charge buildup on the surface of quantum object confinement device 300 while still providing high optical efficiency to the system. In one or more embodiments, core-shell metamaterial structure 410 may still operate as at least a portion of the system's electrodes. In one or more embodiments, metamaterial structure 410 may be composed of an outer shell 603A of a transparent conductive material (e.g., indium tin oxide (ITO)) covering a dielectric (e.g., titanium dioxide) core.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, the multiple metamaterial structures may be used as a dielectric photonic metasurface (e.g., a truncated waveguide) configured to modify the propagation phase without resonance. In various embodiments, the photonic metasurface is a dielectric metasurface that uses two or more electrical resonances of any order to locally create the desired phase and amplitude response of each photonic metasurface. Various other types of metamaterial structures 410 that define various types of metamaterial surfaces are used in various embodiments.

[0081] Photonic metasurfaces can be designed and / or configured to generate electromagnetic waves, radiation, beams, and / or signals in particular and / or designated directions, for example, due to the phase of electric and magnetic dipoles being established at the surfaces of the constituent metamaterial structures. In various embodiments, the metamaterial structures include positive and / or negative structures shaped and / or sized such that a metamaterial array formed by a plurality of metamaterial structures is configured to provide an actuation signal to respective quantum object locations in a quantum object confinement device in response to an incoming signal being incident on at least a portion of the metamaterial array, and / or to provide a collection signal to collection optics of a quantum computer in response to an emitted signal being incident on at least a portion of the metamaterial array.

[0082] In one or more embodiments, quantum object confinement device 300 may include multiple electrodes 500, which are further comprised of multiple metasurfaces (e.g., 511A, 511B, 511C), as shown in Figure 5. In various embodiments, and still referring to Figure 5, one or more of the multiple metasurfaces (e.g., 511A, 511B, 511C) may be connected by RF rails 510 and / or separated by gaps (e.g., 512A and 512B).

[0083] FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary array 700 of signal manipulation elements on surface 350 of quantum object confinement device 300. Array 700 includes multiple acting arrays 720 (e.g., 720A-H) and a collection array 740. In an exemplary embodiment, each acting array 720 is configured for use to perform one or more functions of a quantum computer. For example, each acting array 720 may be configured for use with a respective particular wavelength and / or respective wavelength range corresponding to the respective function. For example, each acting array 720 may be configured to provide an acting array 720 that is focused in a particular manner. For example, acting array 720 may be configured to focus induced acting signals at respective quantum object locations and / or one or more portions of respective quantum object locations. The particular focusing characteristics of each acting array 720 are configured based at least in part on the corresponding function that acting array 720 is designed to perform.

[0084] In various embodiments, quantum object confinement device 300 is within a vacuum / cryogenic chamber, one or more radiation shields, or the like.

[0085] In various embodiments, a two-dimensional array of metamaterial structures 410 is on a surface of a substrate of quantum object confinement device 300. In one or more embodiments, the two-dimensional array of metamaterial structures 410 may act as multiple electrodes and may be disposed on a surface of quantum object confinement device 300. For example, multiple metamaterial structures 410, where the metamaterial structures act as electrodes, may be used as transparent electrodes for an optically active device.

[0086] Exemplary Controller In various embodiments, quantum object confinement device 300 is incorporated into a system (e.g., quantum computer 110) that includes controller 30. In various embodiments, controller 30 is configured to control various elements of the system (e.g., quantum computer 110). For example, the controller may be configured to control voltage source 50, a cryostat system and / or vacuum system that controls the temperature and pressure within cryostat and / or vacuum chamber 40, manipulation source 60, a refrigeration system, and / or other systems that control environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, pressure, etc.) within cryostat and / or vacuum chamber 40, and / or to manipulate and / or cause the controlled evolution of the quantum states of one or more quantum objects confined by quantum object confinement device 300. In various embodiments, controller 30 may be configured to receive signals from one or more optical collection systems.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 8 , in various embodiments, controller 30 may be comprised of various controller elements, including processing element 805, memory 810, driver controller element 815, communication interface 820, analog-to-digital converter element 825, etc. For example, processing element 805 may include a programmable logic device (CPLD), a microprocessor, a coprocessing entity, an application-specific instruction-set processor (ASIP), an integrated circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), a hardware accelerator, other processing devices and / or circuits, etc., and / or a controller. The term circuit may refer to an entirely hardware embodiment or a combination of hardware and a computer program product. In an exemplary embodiment, processing element 805 of controller 30 includes and / or communicates with a clock.

[0088] For example, memory 810 may include non-transitory memory such as volatile and / or non-volatile memory storage such as one or more of a hard disk, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMC, SD memory card, memory stick, CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, RRAM, SONOS, racetrack memory, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory, register memory, etc. In various embodiments, memory 810 may store a queue of commands to be executed to cause quantum algorithms and / or circuits to run (e.g., an executable queue), qubit records corresponding to qubits of the quantum computer (e.g., a qubit record data store, a qubit record database, a qubit record table, etc.), calibration tables, computer program code (e.g., one or more computer languages, specialized controller languages, etc.), etc. In an exemplary embodiment, execution of at least a portion of the computer program code stored in memory 810 (e.g., by processing element 805) causes controller 30 to perform one or more steps, operations, processes, procedures, etc. described herein to provide manipulation signals to quantum object locations and / or to collect, detect, capture, and / or measure indications of emission signals emitted by quantum objects at corresponding quantum object locations in quantum object confinement device 300.

[0089] In various embodiments, driver controller element 815 may include one or more drivers and / or controller elements each configured to control one or more drivers. In various embodiments, driver controller element 815 may include a driver and / or a driver controller. For example, a driver controller may be configured to operate one or more corresponding drivers according to executable instructions, commands, etc. scheduled and executed by controller 30 (e.g., by processing element 805). In various embodiments, driver controller element 815 may enable controller 30 to operate voltage source 50, manipulation source 60, a cooling system, etc. In various embodiments, a driver may be a laser driver configured to operate one or more manipulation sources 60 to generate manipulation signals, a vacuum component driver, a driver for controlling current flow and / or voltage applied to electrodes used to maintain and / or control the trapping potential of quantum object confinement device 300 (and / or other driver for providing driver action sequences to potential-generating elements of the quantum object confinement device), a cryostat and / or vacuum system component driver, a cooling system driver, etc. In various embodiments, controller 30 includes means for transmitting and / or receiving signals from one or more receiver components (e.g., photodetectors of an optical collection system). For example, controller 30 may include one or more analog-to-digital converter elements 825 configured to receive signals from one or more receiver components (e.g., photodetectors of an optical collection system), calibration sensors, etc.

[0090] Exemplary Computing Entity 9 provides an explanatory schematic diagram depicting an exemplary computing entity 10 that may be used in conjunction with embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, computing entity 10 is configured to allow a user (e.g., via a user interface of computing entity 10) to provide input to quantum computer 110 and receive, display, analyze, etc., output from quantum computer 110.

[0091] 9, computing entity 10 may include an antenna 912, a (e.g., wireless) transmitter 904, a (e.g., wireless) receiver 906, and a processing element 908 that provides signals to and receives signals from transmitter 904 and receiver 906, respectively. The signals provided to and received from transmitter 904 and receiver 906 may each include signaling information / data in accordance with the air interface standard of the applicable wireless system for communicating with various entities, such as controller 30, other computing entities 10, etc. In this regard, computing entity 10 may be capable of operating with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types. For example, computing entity 10 may be configured to receive and / or provide communications using a wired data transmission protocol such as Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Ethernet, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay, Data over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS), or any other wired transmission protocol.Similarly, the computing entity 10 may be configured to support a variety of standards, including General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), CDMA2000 1X (1xRTT), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi It may be configured to communicate over a wireless external communications network using any of a variety of protocols, such as Direct, 802.16 (WiMAX®), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Infrared (IR) protocol, Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol, Wibree, Bluetooth® protocol, Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and / or any other wireless protocol.Computing entity 10 may communicate using such protocols and standards, such as Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Domain Name System (DNS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), HTTP over TLS / SSL / Secure, Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), Network Time Protocol (NTP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Telnet, Transport Layer Security (TLS), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Datagram Congestion Control Protocol (DCCP), Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), and the like.

[0092] These communication standards and protocols enable computing entity 10 to communicate with various other entities using concepts such as Unstructured Supplementary Service information / data (USSD), Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency Signaling (DTMF), and / or Subscriber Identity Module Dialer (SIM Dialer), etc. Computing entity 10 may also download modifications, add-ons, and updates to its firmware, software (including, e.g., executable instructions, applications, program modules), and operating system, for example.

[0093] In various embodiments, computing entity 10 may include a network interface 920, for example, for interfacing and / or communicating with controller 30. For example, computing entity 10 may include a network interface 920 for providing executable instructions, command sets, etc. for receipt by controller 30 and / or for receiving outputs provided by quantum computer 110 and / or results of processing the outputs. In various embodiments, computing entity 10 and controller 30 may communicate via a direct wired and / or wireless connection and / or via one or more wired and / or wireless networks 20.

[0094] Computing entity 10 may also include user interface devices including one or more user input / output interfaces (e.g., a display 916 and / or speakers / speaker drivers coupled to processing element 908, as well as a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, and / or microphone coupled to processing element 908). For example, the user output interface may be configured to provide an application, browser, user interface, interface, dashboard, screen, webpage, page, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein running on and / or accessible via computing entity 10 for causing a display or audible presentation of information / data and for interaction with that information / data via one or more user input interfaces. The user input interface may include any of many devices that enable computing entity 10 to receive data, such as a keypad 918 (hard or soft), a touch display, a voice / speech or motion interface, a scanner, reader, or other input device. In embodiments that include a keypad 918, the keypad 918 may include (or cause to be displayed) traditional numbers (0-9) and related keys (#, *), as well as other keys used to operate computing entity 10, and may include a full set of alphabetic keys, or a set of keys that may be activated to provide a full set of alphanumeric keys. In addition to providing input, the user input interface may be used, for example, to activate or deactivate certain features, such as a screen saver and / or sleep mode. Through such input, computing entity 10 may collect information / data, user interaction / input, etc.

[0095] Computing entity 10 may also include volatile storage or memory 922 and / or non-volatile storage or memory, which may be embedded and / or removable. For example, non-volatile memory may be ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMC, SD memory card, memory stick, CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, RRAM, SONOS, racetrack memory, etc. Volatile memory may be RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory, registered memory, etc. Volatile and non-volatile storage or memory may store databases, database instances, database management system entities, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, etc. for implementing the functionality of computing entity 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 5 Quantum objects 10 Computing Entities 30 Controllers 40 Cryostat and / or vacuum chamber 50 Voltage Source 60 Operation source 62 Incoming signal 64 Induction Action Signal 66 Light path 66A, 66B, 66C optical path 70 Optical Acquisition System 72 Emission Signal 74 Induction Collection Signal 100 Quantum Computing Systems 110 Quantum Computer 300 Quantum object confinement device, confinement device 305 Quantum object position 310 electrode 320 Quantum Object Path 330 Island 350 surface 400 Action Array 410 Metamaterial Structure 420 Collecting Lens 425 collection fiber 440 Collection Array 445 Detection position 450 surface 460 adjacent boards 500 electrodes 510 RF Rail 511A, 511B, 511C metasurfaces 512A, 512B Gap 603A Transparent conductive material shell, shell 603B Non-conductive oxide core, core 700 arrays 720, 720A~H Action Array 740 Collection Array 805 Processing Elements 810 memory 815 Driver Controller Elements 820 Communication Interface 825 Analog-to-Digital Converter Elements 904 Transmitter 906 Receiver 908 Processing Elements 912 Antenna 916 Display 918 keypad 920 network interface 922 Volatile Storage or Memory

Claims

1. a plurality of electrodes configured to generate a confining potential configured to confine one or more quantum objects, the confining potential defining a plurality of quantum object positions; one or more metasurfaces, each metasurface associated with a respective quantum object location of the plurality of quantum object locations, the metasurfaces comprising a transparent conductive oxide; A quantum object confinement device comprising:

2. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1 , wherein the metasurface is one of the plurality of electrodes.

3. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1 , wherein the metasurface comprises a two-dimensional array of metamaterial structures comprising the transparent conductive oxide.

4. 4. The quantum object confinement device of claim 3, wherein the two-dimensional array of metamaterial structures is configured to enable at least one of (a) phase control or (b) wavefront shaping of a guided beam provided by the metasurface.

5. The quantum object confinement device of claim 3 , wherein the transparent conductive oxide is disposed on at least a surface of each of a plurality of metamaterial structures in the two-dimensional array of metamaterial structures.

6. 4. The quantum object confinement device of claim 3, wherein the two-dimensional array of metamaterial structures is located on a surface of a substrate, and the plurality of electrodes are also disposed on the surface of the substrate.

7. 6. The quantum object confinement device of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of metamaterial structures is a pillar extending a distance in the range of 0.5 nm to 1 μm from a surface of the quantum object confinement device.

8. The quantum object confinement device of claim 5 , wherein one or more of the metamaterial structures comprises a dielectric material.

9. 9. The quantum object confinement device of claim 8, wherein the one or more metamaterial structures include a core comprising the dielectric material, the core encapsulated within a shell comprising the transparent conductive oxide.

10. The quantum object confinement device of claim 8 , wherein the dielectric material comprises titanium dioxide.

11. 10. The quantum object confinement device of claim 9, wherein the one or more metamaterial structures can be used as a transparent electrode for an optically active device.

12. The quantum object confinement device of claim 10 , wherein the metamaterial structure comprises tunable properties associated with a variable free carrier concentration.

13. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1 , wherein the transparent conductive oxide is indium tin oxide (ITO).

14. 10. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1, wherein the one or more metasurfaces are comprised of ITO material used as a truncated waveguide.

15. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to control operation of the plurality of electrodes.

16. 16. The quantum object confinement device of claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to receive a signal indicating that a collection signal is incident on the electrode.

17. 16. The quantum object confinement device of claim 15, wherein the system is part of a quantum computer and the controller is configured to control operation of the plurality of electrodes.

18. 1. A quantum object confinement device, comprising: a plurality of electrodes configured to generate a confining potential configured to confine one or more quantum objects, the confining potential defining a plurality of quantum object positions; one or more metasurfaces, each metasurface associated with a respective quantum object location of the plurality of quantum object locations, the metasurfaces comprising a transparent conductive oxide; A quantum object confinement device comprising: at least one operating source configured to provide an operating signal; at least one optical element configured to direct the manipulation signal to the metasurface such that the metasurface directs a stimulating beam to the respective quantum object location; Quantum computers, including

19. 20. The quantum computer of claim 18, further comprising at least one photodetector associated with each quantum object location, wherein at least one of the metasurfaces is configured to provide an induced signal to the at least one photodetector in response to at least a portion of an emission signal emitted by a quantum object located at the respective quantum object location being incident on the metasurface.

20. 19. The quantum computer of claim 18, wherein the metasurface is formed by a plurality of metamaterial structures, and at least an outer surface of each of the plurality of metamaterial structures is formed from the transparent conductive oxide.

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