Applying a magnetic-field gradient to a trapped ion allows long-wavelength radiation to produce a mechanical force on the ion's motion when internal transitions are driven. We demonstrate such a coupling using a single trapped Yb+171 ion and use it to produce entanglement between the spin and motional state, an essential step toward using such a field gradient to implement multiqubit operations.
Funding
Quantum technology with nanofabricated ion trap chips; G0308; EPSRC-ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL; EP/G007276/1
Ion trap arrays for scalable quantum computing.; G0294; EPSRC-ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL; EP/E011136/1