Trapped Ion Computing Question

[jonlg_uk]

Hi all, I have a question about trapped ion. How can they achieve such stable frequencies if the power supply which supply's the ion trap drifts over time? For example if you use a paul trap as an atomic clock, how do you compensate for any fluctuations in power supply voltage and frequency?

 

[f95toli]

I am not sure I understand the question: Which power supply are you talking about? The read-out electronics, lasers, vauum equipment, magnets...
An unstable PSU (an ALL PSUs are unstable to some degree) can of course be a problem; but I am don't quite understand why you think this would be especially important for ion traps?

 

[jonlg_uk]

I am not sure I understand the question: Which power supply are you talking about? The read-out electronics, lasers, vauum equipment, magnets...
An unstable PSU (an ALL PSUs are unstable to some degree) can of course be a problem; but I am don't quite understand why you think this would be especially important for ion traps?

For incidence if you have a paul trap and the voltage was to vary and then the frequency what effect would that have on the ion trapped inside?

BTW I am not sure if it will effect an ion computer, I am just curious of the effects of voltage and frequency changes in paul traps

 

[f95toli]

But again: Which voltage?
I assume you mean the voltage that drives the part of the setup that generates the electric field. Well, yes an unstable voltagr would have an effect but it will be quite small (I assume the main problem would be doppler shift).
As far as I know this is not a serious problem; none of the traps we have where I work use - any form of sophisticated power stabilisation (although I don't actually work in that field so I could be wrong).

 

[jonlg_uk]

But again: Which voltage?
I assume you mean the voltage that drives the part of the setup that generates the electric field. Well, yes an unstable voltagr would have an effect but it will be quite small (I assume the main problem would be doppler shift).
As far as I know this is not a serious problem; none of the traps we have where I work use - any form of sophisticated power stabilisation (although I don't actually work in that field so I could be wrong).

Thanks for your reply. Do you think you could ask the question to your colleagues as to whether they can detect ion movements in their (Paul/Penning) ion traps, due to voltage drift??