Atomic Species Order Determination via Fluorescence Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in determining the species order of multi-species object crystals confined by ion traps, as high-resolution imaging systems required for this purpose are expensive and technically complex.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the confinement of atomic objects within potential wells, followed by fluorescence detection and processing to identify the species of atomic objects, allowing for the determination of species order through iterative split and recombination operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-resolution imaging systems are used to determine species order, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecies order determination accuracyVSAvoidimaging system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical imaging system with a fluorescence-based detection system. Instead of using high-resolution cameras or microscopes to visually resolve and identify ion positions, the method uses fluorescence excitation and detection to indirectly determine species order through fluorescent signal patterns, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces fluorescence as an intermediary signal carrier. Rather than directly imaging the ions, the system uses fluorescence excitation and emission as an intermediate measurement mechanism. The fluorescence signals serve as a mediator that encodes spatial information about ion species, allowing indirect determination of species order without requiring direct optical resolution of individual ions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If high-resolution imaging systems are used to determine species order, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecies order determination accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive high-resolution imaging hardware with more cost-effective fluorescence detection components. The system uses standard optical components for fluorescence excitation and detection rather than requiring costly high-resolution cameras, sensors, or complex imaging systems, thereby reducing overall system cost while achieving the same measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inexpensive fluorescence probes or dyes that can be easily applied to the ions. These fluorescent markers are cost-effective compared to high-resolution imaging systems, allowing repeated use and replacement without requiring expensive equipment upgrades, thus reducing the overall cost of species order determination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enables efficient determination of the species order of atomic objects within object crystals, overcoming the limitations of conventional high-resolution imaging techniques and allowing for precise control of quantum state evolution in atomic systems.

Implementation Method 1

controlling operation of one or more potential sources to cause a first plurality of potential generating signals to be applied to respective potential generating elements of a confinement apparatus. Application of the first plurality of potential generating signals to the respective potential generating elements causes a potential well to be generated such that an object crystal comprising a plurality of atomic objects is confined within the potential well

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric Field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

receiving a first sensor signal generated by a photodetector configured to capture fluorescence signals generated by the first subset of the plurality of atomic objects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS20250076198A1Determining species order of a confined multi-species object crystal

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 QUANTINUUM LLC

AI summary

A controller of an atomic system controls operation of potential sources to cause potential generating signals to be provided. Application of the potential generating signals to respective potential generating elements causes performance of a split operation causing confinement of a first subset of atomic objects of an object crystal in a first potential well and a second subset of atomic objects of the object crystal in a second potential well. The first subset consists of one or more atomic objects. The object crystal includes atomic objects of at least two species. The controller controls operation of manipulation sources to cause manipulation signals to be incident on the first subset. The controller receives a sensor signal generated by a photodetector configured to capture fluorescence signals generated by the first subset. The controller processes the sensor signal to determine a respective species of at least one atomic object of the first subset.