Ion Trap Enclosure Structure for Field Shielding and Heat Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ion trapping devices face challenges in isolating ions from stray electric fields, managing thermal stability, and providing efficient heat removal without additional resources, while also allowing for optical access and reusability across different ion traps.

Innovation Solution

The enclosure for ion trapping devices includes a heat spreader base, grid array, spacer, interposer, and roof portion, which isolates ions from stray electric fields, provides thermal management, and allows for optical access, while being reusable for different ion traps by using coupling mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ions are trapped in an ion trap device, then ion confinement is achieved, but stray electric fields interfere with ion stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion stabilityVSAvoidstray electric fields
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical shielding against stray fields, thermal management through heat dissipation pathways, and mechanical support for the ion trap components. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by integrating protective capabilities without adding separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If thermal management resources are added to the ion trap system, then heat removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat removalVSAvoidadditional resources
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure integrates thermal management functionality by incorporating heat-dissipating structures and thermally conductive materials directly into the enclosure components that already provide electrical shielding and mechanical support. This merging approach enables effective heat removal without requiring separate dedicated thermal management systems, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enclosure effectively isolates ions from stray electric fields, maintains thermal stability, and facilitates efficient heat removal, while enabling optical access and reusability, enhancing the performance and versatility of ion trapping devices.

Implementation Method 1

a heat spreader base that includes a perimeter portion and a center portion connected to the perimeter portion by a bridge portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3792956B1Enclosure for ion trapping device
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 QUANTINUUM LLC
  • EP3792956B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3792956B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3792956B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Devices, methods, and systems for enclosures for an ion trapping device are described herein. One enclosure for an ion trapping device includes a heat spreader base that includes a perimeter portion and a center portion connected to the perimeter portion by a bridge portion, a grid array coupled to the heat spreader, a spacer with a plurality of studs coupled to the grid array, an interposer and ion trap die coupled to the spacer, a connector coupled to interposer, and a roof portion coupled to the heat spreader base.