Design and Implementation of the Real-Time Control System for an Open Trapped Ion Quantum Computing Platform

Abstract

Trapped atomic ions are a promising platform for the implementation of quantum bits and quantum information processors due to advantageous inherent physical properties as well as exquisite experimental control. Trapped ion quantum computers are composed of many independent systems which must be controlled and coordinated with sub-microsecond time resolution to perform quantum operations. This thesis describes the design and construction of the electrical infrastructure and real-time control hardware and software for an open source, open access trapped ion quantum computing platform. It presents the physical requirements for the trapped ion quantum information processor, how those requirements translate into design specifications for the electrical and control systems, and the progress on assembling and integrating those systems into an operational ion trap apparatus.