Planar Paul Trap with Magnetic Gradient for Low-Crosstalk Ion Addressing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing quantum computing arrangements face challenges in controlling and addressing trapped quantum particles individually due to crosstalk between neighboring particles, which hinders effective quantum error correction and scalability.

Innovation Solution

A quantum computing arrangement featuring a symmetric permanent magnet arrangement and a planar Paul trap, combined with a magnetic field gradient, allows for individual addressing of trapped ions through RF radiation, enabling effective spin-spin coupling and entanglement, while maintaining a compact design and facilitating scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional control systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to control atomic particle positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition control of atomic particlesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical/electronic control systems with a quantum control mechanism. The system uses quantum particles (such as electrons or photons) to carry control signals to the atomic particle sources. This quantum-based control mechanism enables precise manipulation of atomic particle positions and quantum states, achieving manufacturing precision that classical control systems cannot provide while managing the inherent complexity through quantum mechanical principles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If quantum computing components are built using conventional methods, then device complexity is low, but reliability deteriorates due to instability of quantum states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of quantum statesVSAvoidquantum control arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dedicated quantum control arrangement as an intermediary system between classical control interfaces and quantum computing components. This control arrangement includes quantum memory elements and quantum logic circuits that act as mediators, stabilizing quantum states through controlled interactions. The intermediary system manages decoherence and maintains quantum coherence, thereby improving reliability while isolating the complexity from both classical and quantum domains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements preemptive stabilization mechanisms that prepare and protect quantum states before they become vulnerable to decoherence. Quantum error correction codes and stabilizer circuits are pre-configured to detect and correct errors before they propagate. The control arrangement anticipates potential quantum state failures and applies corrective operations in advance, cushioning against reliability issues before they manifest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Manufacturing precision

If precise control of atomic particles is implemented, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precision of quantum bitsVSAvoidcontrol system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The quantum control arrangement employs universal quantum logic gates and control mechanisms that can manipulate multiple types of quantum bits (electron spins, photon polarizations, atomic energy levels) using the same fundamental operations. This multi-functional approach allows a single control system architecture to achieve precise control across different quantum implementations, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high manufacturing precision through standardized quantum control protocols.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4594952B1Quantum computing arrangement and quantum computer
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 ELEQTRON GMBH
  • EP4594952B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4594952B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4594952B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A quantum computing arrangement (1) is specified comprising a permanent magnet arrangement (2) and a substrate (50). The quantum computing arrangement is configured to realize a planar Paul trap (100) for trapping at least one ion crystal (6a, 6b) having several ions (6) lined up along a predefined line (7). Components of the quantum computing arrangement which constitute electrodes (20, 30, 40a, 40b) of the Planar Paul trap for establishing an electrical trapping potential are arranged on a top side (51) of the substrate (50). The predefined line is located above the top side (51). The permanent magnet arrangement establishes a magnetic field with a magnitude of the magnetic field changing along the predefined line. Further, a quantum computer (8) comprising a quantum computing arrangement (1) is specified.