Realization of a Quantum Walk with One and Two Trapped Ions

F. Zähringer, G. Kirchmair, R. Gerritsma, E. Solano, R. Blatt, and C. F. Roos
Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 100503 – Published 9 March 2010
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Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate a quantum walk on a line in phase space using one and two trapped ions. A walk with up to 23 steps is realized by subjecting an ion to state-dependent displacement operations interleaved with quantum coin tossing operations. To analyze the ion’s motional state after each step we apply a technique that directly maps the probability density distribution onto the ion’s internal state. The measured probability distributions and the position’s second moment clearly show the nonclassical character of the quantum walk. To further highlight the difference between the classical (random) and the quantum walk, we demonstrate the reversibility of the latter. Finally, we extend the quantum walk by using two ions, giving the walker the additional possibility to stay instead of taking a step.

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  • Received 9 November 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.100503

©2010 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

F. Zähringer1,2, G. Kirchmair1,2, R. Gerritsma1,2, E. Solano3,4, R. Blatt1,2, and C. F. Roos1,2

  • 1Institut für Experimentalphysik, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
  • 2Institut für Quantenoptik und Quanteninformation, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Otto-Hittmair-Platz 1, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
  • 3Departamento de Química Física, Universidad del País Vasco–Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Apartado 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
  • 4IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Alameda Urquijo 36, 48011 Bilbao, Spain

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Issue

Vol. 104, Iss. 10 — 12 March 2010

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