Quantum information: microwave ion-trap quantum computing

The strange phenomena of quantum physics, such as the possibility of a single atom being in two different places simultaneously, have mystified experienced physicists and students alike. These phenomena are not just theoretical curiosities: a new, practical, field of quantum physics has become particularly vibrant during the past ten years. It concerns harnessing the power of quantum effects to produce an innovative type of technology — quantum technology. This has the potential to revolutionize computing. Although ways to implement this technology are being pursued in various physical systems, quantum computing using trapped ions1, 2, 3 has undoubtedly been the most successful so far. In this issue, Ospelkaus et al.4 (page 181) and Timoney et al.5 (page 185) describe a trapped-ion approach that further bolsters the enormous potential of this system for the implementation of large-scale quantum computers.