Cryogenic RF Resonator for Ion Traps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cryogenic ion traps face inefficiencies due to unwanted power dissipation and noise at cryogenic temperatures, affecting their performance in quantum computing and other applications.

Innovation Solution

A compact, monolithic, and impedance-matched cryogenic RF resonator that reduces power dissipation and noise, providing a stable gain profile without active feedback, suitable for low-temperature and ultra-high vacuum environments, and compatible with various ion traps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ion traps operate at cryogenic temperatures, then quantum computing performance is improved, but unwanted power dissipation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantum computing performanceVSAvoidpower dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the resonator (inductance L and capacitance C values) to achieve a quality factor Q greater than 1000 at cryogenic temperatures. This parameter optimization ensures minimal energy loss while maintaining effective ion trapping, directly resolving the contradiction between improved quantum performance and reduced power dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high voltage RF drive signals are used in ion traps, then ion confinement is improved, but power dissipation and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion confinementVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a resonator as an intermediary component between the RF signal source and the ion trap electrodes. This resonator acts as a mediator that filters and conditions the RF signals, allowing effective ion confinement while suppressing noise generation. The high quality factor of the resonator ensures that only the desired frequency components reach the electrodes, reducing harmful noise effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If compact resonator design is implemented, then device integration is improved, but impedance matching becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresonator sizeVSAvoidimpedance matching
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully selects and optimizes the inductance L and capacitance C parameters of the compact resonator to achieve both size reduction and proper impedance matching. By adjusting these parameters, the resonator maintains the necessary electrical characteristics for effective coupling with the ion trap while occupying minimal space, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and impedance matching complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The cryogenic RF resonator enhances the performance of ion traps by minimizing heat load and noise, improving the efficiency of atomic clocks, mass spectrometers, and quantum computing applications, with reduced power consumption and increased stability.

Implementation Method 1

a cryogenic resonant circuit including an inductor having a first quality factor Q at a first temperature and a capacitor having a second quality factor Q at the first temperature, wherein the cryogenic resonant circuit has a third quality factor Q greater than 1000 at a second temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The common substrate may include one or more thermally conductive materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3742612B1Cryogenic radio-frequency resonator for surface ion traps
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 QUANTINUUM LLC
  • EP3742612B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3742612B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3742612B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present subject matter provides technical solutions for the technical problems facing cryogenic ion traps by providing a cryogenic radio-frequency (RF) resonator that is compact, monolithic, modular, and impedance-matched to a cryogenic ion trap. The cryogenic RF resonator described herein is power-efficient, properly impedance-matched to the RF source, has a stable gain profile, and is compatible with a low temperature and ultra-high vacuum environment. In some examples, the gain profile is selected so that the cryogenic RF resonator acts as a cryogenic RF amplifier. This cryogenic RF resonator improves the performance of ion traps by reducing or minimizing the heat load and reducing or minimizing the unwanted noise that may erroneously drive trapped ions. These features of the present subject matter improve the performance of atomic clocks and mass spectrometers, and especially improve the performance of trapped ion quantum computers.