Quantum Computation with Trapped Polar Molecules

We propose a novel physical realization of a quantum computer. The qubits are electric dipole moments of ultracold diatomic molecules, oriented along or against an external electric field. Individual molecules are held in a 1D trap array, with an electric field gradient allowing spectroscopic addressing of each site. Bits are coupled via the electric dipole-dipole interaction. Using technologies similar to those already demonstrated, this design can plausibly lead to a quantum computer with $\gtrsim {10}^4$ qubits, which can perform $\sim {10}^5$ CNOT gates in the anticipated decoherence time of $\sim 5\mathrm{s}$.