Quantum Coherence of Discrete Kink Solitons in Ion Traps

H. Landa, S. Marcovitch, A. Retzker, M. B. Plenio, and B. Reznik
Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 043004 – Published 29 January 2010

Abstract

We propose to realize quantized discrete kinks with cold trapped ions. We show that long-lived solitonlike configurations are manifested as deformations of the zigzag structure in the linear Paul trap, and are topologically protected in a circular trap with an odd number of ions. We study the quantum-mechanical time evolution of a high-frequency, gap separated internal mode of a static kink and find long coherence times when the system is cooled to the Doppler limit. The spectral properties of the internal modes make them ideally suited for manipulation using current technology. This suggests that ion traps can be used to test quantum-mechanical effects with solitons and explore ideas for the utilization of the solitonic internal modes as carriers of quantum information.

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  • Received 2 October 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.043004

©2010 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

H. Landa1, S. Marcovitch1, A. Retzker2, M. B. Plenio2, and B. Reznik1

  • 1School of Physics and Astronomy, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel
  • 2Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2PG, United Kingdom, and QOLS, The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BW, United Kingdom, and Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Ulm, D-89069 Ulm, Germany

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Issue

Vol. 104, Iss. 4 — 29 January 2010

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