"Tackling the challenges of quantum computing with trapped Cd ions"

Trapped atomic ions have a number of desirable features that make them well suited for quantum information applications. Pairs of hyperfine ground states can behave as an ideal quantum bit, and entanglement between multiple ions can proceed through Coulomb interaction mediated by appropriate laser fields. Many of the critical components of a trapped ion quantum computer have now been demonstrated here at Michigan as well as by a few other groups around the world.  I will review the Michigan effort which consists of three main thrusts: Ion-ion entanglement, ion-photon entanglement, and scalable trap development.