Optical Beam Control System for Quantum Qubit Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In quantum information processing systems, precise control over the angle and position of optical beams is challenging, especially when multiple beams need to be accurately aligned with atomic-based qubits, leading to noise and errors in quantum computations and simulations.

Innovation Solution

An optical beam control system utilizing a telescope with multiple rotatable mirrors and lenses, combined with a diffractive optical element and a detector system, generates feedback signals to adjust the beam angle and position independently, ensuring stable alignment of optical beams at a defined plane or target, using a multi-channel acousto-optic modulator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple optical beams are used to address multiple atomic-based qubits, then quantum operations can be performed on multiple qubits, but precise control of beam angle and position becomes difficult leading to noise and errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantum operations throughputVSAvoidbeam angle and position control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The optical beam is segmented into multiple parallel beams using a diffractive optical element, allowing simultaneous addressing of multiple qubits while maintaining individual beam control through the telescope system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback control system is implemented where detectors monitor beam position and angle, and this information is used to adjust the telescope mirror positions to correct deviations and maintain precise beam alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If traditional optical systems are used without feedback control, then the system structure is simpler, but beam angle and position cannot be stably held leading to alignment drift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical system structureVSAvoidbeam alignment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The telescope system with rotatable mirrors serves multiple functions: beam steering, beam focusing, and feedback-controlled stabilization, reducing the need for separate alignment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables precise and independent control of optical beam angles and positions, reducing noise and errors in quantum operations, and is applicable beyond quantum information processing systems where precise beam alignment is critical.

Implementation Method 1

the output optical beam being made into parallel optical beams following a diffractive optical element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

These attributes make atomic-based qubits attractive for extended quantum operations such as quantum computations or quantum simulations. To properly program and perform quantum computations or quantum simulations (e.g., including the implementation and operation of quantum gates) using atomic-based qubits, precise control over the characteristics of optical beams used to interact with the qubits is important

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcousto-optic effect: Acousto-optic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11994666B2Optical beam angle and position control system

Publication Date: 2024.05.28 IONQ INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure describe techniques for independently controlling an angle (e.g., change in tilt) and/or position (e.g., change in lateral position) of an optical beam. For example, an optical beam control system may include a telescope with rotatable mirrors and lenses configured to provide a path to an optical beam to produce an output optical beam, which in turn is made into parallel optical beams following a diffractive optical element. The optical beam control system may also include a detector system to a beam angle and/or a beam position of one of the parallel optical beams to generate feedback signal or signals to control a rotation of one or more of the mirrors in the telescope such as to adjust the beam angle, the beam position, or both of the parallel optical beams. The optical beam control system may be part of a quantum information processing (QIP) system.