Chip-based laser cooling could ease quantum computing bottleneck

Researchers at Cornell University have created a laser-cooling technique that could help resolve a major obstacle in the development of larger, faster quantum computers. The study, published in the journal PRX Quantum on November 9, showcases how specially designed laser beams transmitted through a microfabricated chip can quickly cool multiple types of atomic motion simultaneously.

Led by Karan Mehta, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Cornell Duffield College of Engineering, the research demonstrates that laser cooling can now be completed in approximately 150 microseconds, compared to around 500 microseconds with traditional laser methods. This enhanced cooling process simultaneously reduces energy from the motion of trapped ions, while also suppressing unwanted interactions that typically cause heating.

The technique, which employs a standing wave of laser light created on a chip, allows for precise control over the ion's motion. By positioning a trapped calcium ion at a minimum intensity point, researchers achieved cooling to near the quantum ground state, opening up possibilities for more efficient quantum computing.