Patent Description:
An atomic object trap can use electrical fields to capture one or more atomic object in a potential well. Atomic objects can be trapped for a number of purposes, which may include mass spectrometry, research, and/or controlling quantum states thereof, for example. Trapped atomic objects, such as trapped ions, can encode information in their quantum states and act as qubits in quantum computing. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many deficiencies of such prior atomic object traps have been solved by developing solutions that are structured in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, many examples of which are described in detail herein. <NPL> reports on experiments with a microfabricated surface trap designed for trapping a chain of ions in a ring.

Example embodiments provide atomic object traps, atomic object trap apparatuses, quantum computers comprising atomic object trap apparatuses, quantum computer systems comprising atomic object trap apparatuses, and/or the like. In various embodiments, the atomic objects are atoms, ions, ion crystals, and/or the like. As used herein, an ion crystal is a group of atoms and/or ions (e.g., an ion pair comprising a qubit atomic object and a sympathetic cooling atomic object). The provided embodiments are optimized to support simultaneous trapping of a relatively large number of atomic objects with a relatively small number of electrical signals. In an example embodiment, an atomic object trap apparatus is substantially elliptically-shaped and has increased compactness and electrical connectivity. For example, the elliptical shape of an atomic object trap apparatus enables laser beams, electrical leads, and/or the like to be shared among different and spatially separated zones and/or electrodes.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The term "or" (also denoted "/") is used herein in both the alternative and conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. The terms "illustrative" and "exemplary" are used to be examples with no indication of quality level. The terms "generally" and "approximately" refer to within engineering and/or manufacturing limits and/or within user measurement capabilities, unless otherwise indicated.

<FIG> provides a schematic diagram of an example quantum computer system <NUM> comprising an atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM>. For example, the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> of the quantum computer system <NUM> may comprise an elliptical atomic object trap according to the embodiments provided in the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the quantum computer system <NUM> comprises a computing entity <NUM> and a quantum computer <NUM>. In various embodiments, the quantum computer <NUM> comprises a controller <NUM>, a cryostat and/or vacuum chamber <NUM> enclosing an atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM>, and one or more manipulation sources <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the one or more manipulation sources <NUM> may comprise one or more lasers (e.g., optical lasers, microwave sources, and/or the like). In various embodiments, the one or more manipulation sources <NUM> are configured to manipulate and/or cause a controlled quantum state evolution of one or more atomic objects within an atomic object trap of the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM>. For example, in an example embodiment, wherein the one or more manipulation sources <NUM> comprise one or more lasers, the lasers may provide one or more laser beams <NUM> to the atomic object trap of the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> within the cryogenic and/or vacuum chamber <NUM>. In various embodiments, the quantum computer <NUM> comprises one or more voltage sources <NUM>. For example, the voltage sources <NUM> may comprise a plurality of voltage drivers and/or voltage sources and/or at least one RF driver and/or voltage source. The voltage sources <NUM> may be electrically coupled to corresponding electrodes of the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> via corresponding leads.

In various embodiments, a computing entity <NUM> is configured to allow a user to provide input to the quantum computer <NUM> (e.g., via a user interface of the computing entity <NUM>) and receive, view, and/or the like output from the quantum computer <NUM>. The computing entity <NUM> may be in communication with the controller <NUM> of the quantum computer <NUM> via one or more wired or wireless networks <NUM> and/or via direct wired and/or wireless communications. In an example embodiment, the computing entity <NUM> may translate, configure, format, and/or the like information/data, quantum computing algorithms, and/or the like into a computing language, executable instructions, command sets, and/or the like that the controller <NUM> can understand, execute, process, and/or implement. Likewise, the computing entity <NUM> may translate, configure, format, and/or the like information/data, commands, quantum computation results, and/or quantum information provided by the controller <NUM> into information/data that the computing entity <NUM> can understand, execute, process, and/or implement.

In various embodiments, the controller <NUM> is configured to control the voltage sources <NUM>, cryogenic system and/or vacuum system controlling the temperature and pressure within the cryogenic and/or vacuum chamber <NUM>, manipulation sources <NUM>, and/or other systems controlling various environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, and/or the like) within the cryogenic and/or vacuum chamber <NUM> and/or configured to manipulate and/or cause a controlled evolution of quantum states of one or more atomic objects within the atomic object trap of the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM>. In various embodiments, the atomic objects trapped within the atomic object trap of the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> are used as qubits of the quantum computer <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the manipulation sources <NUM> comprise lasers and laser beams 66A-C delivered to the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM>. It will be understood that laser beams 66A-C are illustrated for informative purposes and are not limiting as to indicate that the manipulation sources may only comprise three laser beams. In various embodiments, the manipulation sources <NUM> comprise a plurality of lasers and laser beams. In various embodiments, the manipulation sources <NUM> are configured to be provided to one or more zones and/or regions of an elliptical atomic object trap of the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM>. For example, the manipulation sources <NUM> may comprise a laser beam 66A which may be provided to one zone of the elliptical atomic object trap and another spatially separated zone of the elliptical atomic object trap.

Similarly, the voltage sources <NUM> may comprise a plurality of voltage drivers and/or voltage sources and/or at least one RF driver and/or voltage source. One or more voltage drivers and/or voltage sources may be configured to operate and/or be connected to more than one electrode of an elliptical atomic object trap of the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM>. For example, one voltage driver and/or voltage source of the voltage sources <NUM> may be configured to operate a subgroup of electrodes of the elliptical atomic object trap.

<FIG> provides a top or plan view of an elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> of an atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> according to an example embodiment. In various embodiments, the atomic object trap <NUM> is generally and/or substantially elliptical in shape with the major axis of the ellipse defining a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the atomic object trap <NUM>. In various embodiments, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> is configured to trap (e.g., via electric fields) a plurality of atomic objects. In various embodiments, atomic objects may be atoms, ions, ion crystals, and/or the like. In various embodiments, an ion crystal is a group of atoms and/or ions comprising and/or consisting of a qubit atom and/or ion and at least one sympathetic cooling (SC) atom and/or ion. In various embodiments, the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> may comprise an atomic object trap chip and/or a substrate on which the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> is defined or fabricated. In various embodiments, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> is a surface atomic object trap. For example, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> may be a surface Paul trap. As shown in <FIG>, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> is substantially elliptically-shaped. For example, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> comprises a longitudinal gating region <NUM> and two arc-spanning beltway regions 220A-B, the three regions together forming a substantially elliptical shape. The longitudinal gating region <NUM> may be longitudinal along a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. In various example embodiments, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> comprises two or more radio frequency (RF) electrodes. For example, the top view of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> provided in <FIG> illustrates the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> comprising two radio frequency (RF) electrodes formed concentrically in a substantially elliptical shape. Specifically, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> comprises an outer RF electrode <NUM> and an inner RF electrode <NUM>. In various other embodiments, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> may comprise a plurality of RF electrodes. Within the longitudinal gating region <NUM>, the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may be substantially parallel to one another and/or to the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

Each RF electrode <NUM>, <NUM> may be substantially elliptically-shaped. For example, <FIG> illustrates the outer RF electrode <NUM> comprising two substantially parallel longitudinal regions and two arc-spanning beltway regions. Specifically, the two substantially parallel longitudinal regions are located within the longitudinal gating region <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>, and each arc-spanning beltway region is located in a beltway region 220A or 220B of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. That is, an arc-spanning beltway region of an RF electrode may refer to a portion of the RF electrode that is located within a beltway region <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>, and a substantially parallel longitudinal region of an RF electrode may refer to a portion of the RF electrode that is located within the longitudinal gating region <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. The two substantially parallel longitudinal regions may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. The two arc-spanning beltway regions may be substantially transverse and/or intersect the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. As will be understood, the two substantially parallel longitudinal regions and the two arc-spanning beltway regions of the outer RF electrode <NUM> form a complete elliptical loop, thus defining the outer RF electrode <NUM>.

The inner RF electrode <NUM> is substantially elliptically-shaped similar to the outer RF electrode <NUM>. For example, the inner RF electrode <NUM> also comprises two substantially parallel longitudinal regions and two arc-spanning beltway regions. In various example embodiments, the inner RF electrode <NUM> is formed concentrically with the outer RF electrode <NUM>. That is, the inner RF electrode <NUM> does not intersect with the outer RF electrode <NUM>. Because the inner RF electrode <NUM> is formed concentrically with the outer RF electrode <NUM>, the two substantially parallel longitudinal regions of the inner RF electrode <NUM> and the two substantially parallel longitudinal regions of the outer RF electrode <NUM> are also parallel to each other and with the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. Likewise, the two arc-spanning beltway regions of the inner RF electrode <NUM> and the two arc-spanning beltway regions of the outer RF electrode <NUM> may span the same angle and/or exhibit the same degree of concavity such that the inner RF electrode <NUM> and the outer RF electrode <NUM> are concentric, and may also be substantially transverse and/or intersect the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>.

In various example embodiments, the two or more RF electrodes (e.g., the outer and inner RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>) may be fabricated above an upper surface of an atomic object trap chip and/or a substrate of an atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM>. In various embodiments, other materials (e.g., dielectrics, insulators, shields, etc.) can be formed between said atomic object trap chip and/or substrate and the two or more RF electrodes (and/or other elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> components). In various embodiments, the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may be fabricated from a conductive material (e.g., copper, silver, gold, and/or the like) or alloys of two or more conductive materials selected as suitable for conduction and/or transmission of an appropriate signal. In various embodiments, the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may be fabricated, for example, from copper. In an example embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the RF rails may be determined and/or modified to enable conduction of a current (e.g., from around <NUM>. 01A to around <NUM>. 0A) oscillating at an RF frequency (e.g., from around <NUM> to <NUM>).

In various embodiments, the radial depth of the outer and inner RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., dimension in the x-y plane) and/or thickness of the RF electrodes (e.g., dimension of the RF electrodes in the z-direction) may be varied as suitable for particular applications. In an example embodiment, each RF electrode <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to have a radial depth of <NUM> each. The radial depth dimension may be further defined as the dimension of each electrode radial from a center of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. For example, the radial depth dimension may substantially be the y-dimension in the longitudinal gating region <NUM> and the x-dimension at the ends of the beltway regions <NUM>. Likewise, a circumferential width dimension may be further defined as the dimension normal to the radial depth dimension and substantially along the length of the elliptical shape of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. For example, the circumferential width dimension may substantially be the x-dimension in the longitudinal gating region <NUM> and the y-dimension at the ends of the beltway regions <NUM>.

In various example embodiments, the outer and inner RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may be separated (e.g., insulated) from one another by an elliptical gap. In an example embodiment, the elliptical gap separating the outer and inner RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to have a radial depth of <NUM>, i.e. there exists at least a radial distance of <NUM> between the two RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the elliptical gap may be at least partially filled with an insulating material (e.g., a dielectric material). In various embodiments, the dielectric material may be silicon dioxide (e.g., formed through thermal oxidation) and/or other dielectric and/or insulating material. In various example embodiments, the arrangement and geometry of the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to generate an elliptical trapping region located about <NUM> above the atomic object trap surface (e.g., in the positive z-direction) and above the elliptical gap between the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>. In various embodiments, the elliptical trapping region may be a three-dimensional volume above the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> within which atomic objects are trapped and/or contained. The elliptical shape of the elliptical trapping region may be defined to coincide with, be an extrusion of, and/or be substantially the same as the elliptical gap between the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>. In various example embodiments, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> may be configured to trap at least one atomic object in a portion of the elliptical trapping region. In various embodiments, RF signals may be applied to the two or more RF electrodes to generate an electric and/or magnetic field that acts to maintain one or more atomic objects trapped within the elliptical trapping region. The electric and/or magnetic field may be generated in directions transverse to the elliptical length of the RF electrodes.

In various example embodiments, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> comprises three or more substantially elliptically-shaped transport and/or trapping (TT) electrode sequences, with at least one such TT electrode sequence being disposed between the RF electrodes. For example, <FIG> illustrates the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> comprising three substantially elliptically-shaped transport and/or trapping (TT) electrode sequences: the first TT electrode sequence (also hereinafter referred to as the outer TT electrode sequence) being disposed radially outside the outer RF electrode <NUM>, the second TT electrode sequence disposed within the elliptical gap between the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, and the third TT electrode sequence (also hereinafter referred to as the inner TT electrode sequence) disposed radially inside the inner RF electrode <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> comprises a plurality of TT electrode sequences. Similar to the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, each TT electrode sequence is substantially elliptically-shaped. For example, each TT electrode sequence comprises two substantially parallel longitudinal regions and two arc-spanning beltway regions. The two substantially parallel longitudinal regions of each TT electrode sequence may be located and/or defined within the longitudinal gating region <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>, and each arc-spanning beltway region may be located and/or defined within a beltway region <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. Each TT electrode sequence is also formed to be concentric to the RF electrodes; that is, each of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> components (e.g., the RF electrodes and the TT electrode sequences) is concentric relative to each other. As such, the longitudinal regions of all the RF electrodes and TT electrode sequences may be parallel with the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>, and the arc-spanning beltway regions of all the RF electrodes and TT electrode sequences may span the same angle and/or exhibit the same degree of concavity and may be transverse and/or intersect with the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>.

In various example embodiments, the upper surface (e.g., in the positive z-direction) of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> may have planarized topology. For example, the upper surface (e.g., in the positive z-direction) of each RF electrode and each TT electrode sequence may be substantially coplanar. In various example embodiments, the upper surface of each RF electrode and each TT electrode sequence may also be substantially coplanar or substantially flush with the upper surface of the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM>. Likewise, in an example embodiment, the thicknesses (e.g., in the z-direction) of each RF electrode and each TT electrode sequence may be approximately equal. In one example embodiment, the thickness of the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> and the TT electrodes sequences is in the range of approximately <NUM>-<NUM>. In a different example embodiment, the thicknesses (e.g., in the z-direction) of the outer and inner TT electrode sequences are greater than the thicknesses of the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> and the at least one TT electrode sequence disposed between the RF electrodes, which may have substantially the same thickness. In various example embodiments, the three or more TT electrode sequences may have the same or substantially similar radial depth (e.g., dimension in the x-y plane) as the RF electrodes. For example, each TT electrode sequence may be configured to have a radial depth of <NUM> each. In an example embodiment, the at least one TT electrode sequence disposed between the RF electrodes may be configured to have a radial depth equal to or less than the radial depth of the elliptical gap separating the outer and inner RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the elliptical gap may be configured to have a radial depth of <NUM> and partially filled with insulating material, thereby resulting in the at least one TT electrode sequence disposed within being configured to have a radial depth of less than <NUM>.

In various example embodiments, circumferential gaps may exist between neighboring or adjacent TT electrodes of each TT electrode sequence. In an example embodiment, each circumferential gap may be empty space and/or at least partially filled with a dielectric material to prevent electrical communication between neighboring or adjacent TT electrodes. In an example embodiment, each circumferential gap may be configured to be approximately <NUM>-<NUM>. In various example embodiments, each TT electrode sequence and a neighboring or adjacent RF electrode may be electrically insulated from each other to prevent electrical communication. For example, dielectric and/or insulating material may be positioned at locations between a TT electrode sequence and a RF electrode to prevent electrical communication, such dielectric and/or insulating material having a radial depth of approximately <NUM>-<NUM>. In various embodiments, TT voltages may be applied to TT electrodes of each TT electrode sequence to maintain and/or cause transport of one or more atomic objects trapped within the elliptical trapping region. For example, the TT voltages in conjunction with the RF signals applied to the two or more RF electrodes may generate an electric and/or magnetic field configured to maintain and/or cause transport of one or more trapped atomic objects.

<FIG> illustrates a top or plan view of a portion of an example beltway region <NUM> of an elliptical atomic object trap, such as the beltway regions 220A-B illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated, <FIG> illustrates a right-side (e.g., in the y-direction) beltway region <NUM>, more akin to beltway region 220B illustrated in <FIG>. However, a beltway region <NUM> may be configured the same and/or similarly regardless of which side of an elliptical atomic object trap it is disposed. The architecture illustrated and described in beltway region <NUM> of <FIG> may be applicable to both beltway regions 220A and 220B of <FIG>. Generally, each beltway region <NUM> may be configured to transport atomic objects trapped in the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> from one zone to another zone. For example, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> may trap an atomic object in a portion of a first substantially parallel longitudinal region of the elliptical trapping region, and the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> may be configured to transport said atomic object through a beltway region <NUM> to another portion located in a second substantially parallel longitudinal region of the elliptical trapping region. In various example embodiments, a specific beltway region <NUM> (e.g., either 220A or 220B) may be selected based on the distance over which the atomic object is to be transported. For example, the controller <NUM> may select beltway region 220B instead of beltway region 220A to transport the atomic object when the atomic object is originally located at and/or is to be transported to a portion located at the right end of the longitudinal gating region <NUM>.

Each beltway region <NUM> may comprise the arc-spanning beltway regions of the two or more RF electrodes and the arc-spanning beltway regions of the three or more TT electrode sequences. For example, <FIG> illustrates the arc-spanning beltway regions of the outer and inner RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> and the arc-spanning beltway region of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> disposed between the RF electrodes. As discussed previously, these arc-spanning beltway regions may be concentric (e.g., span the same angle and/or exhibit the same degree of concavity), and the arc-spanning beltway region of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> is disposed in the gap between the arc-spanning beltway regions of the outer and inner RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>. As described previously, in various example embodiments, the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> may be at least one TT electrode sequence.

The second TT electrode sequence <NUM> disposed between the RF electrodes comprises a plurality of TT electrodes. For example, the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> comprises TT electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in one of its arc-spanning beltway regions. In various example embodiments, the plurality of TT electrodes of an arc-spanning beltway region of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> disposed between the RF electrodes may be arranged into three or more subgroups of TT electrodes. For example, <FIG> illustrates the plurality of TT electrodes being arranged into three subgroups of TT electrodes, the subgroups being labelled "A", "B", and "C". For example, subgroup A may include the TT electrodes labelled with an "A" such as TT electrode <NUM>; subgroup B may include the TT electrodes labelled with a "B" such as TT electrode <NUM>; subgroup C may include the TT electrodes labelled with a "C" such as TT electrode <NUM>. As is clearly illustrated, the plurality of TT electrodes are arranged such that every third electrode belongs to the same subgroup. In various example embodiments, the plurality of TT electrodes may be arranged into n subgroups such that every nth electrode belongs to the same subgroup (where n is greater than <NUM>). In an example embodiment, n is at least three, due to the inventors' understanding that at least three energized TT electrodes are required to create and move a single electrical potential well. In various example embodiments, each TT electrode of a subgroup is in electrical communication with the other TT electrodes of the same subgroup. For example, a TT electrode labelled "A" belonging to subgroup A is in electrical communication with every other TT electrode also labelled "A" belonging to subgroup A. In various example embodiments, the TT electrodes belonging to a subgroup are electrically shorted together to allow for electrical communication with each other. Due to the electrical shorting between the TT electrodes of a subgroup, a subgroup of TT electrodes may be operated by one voltage waveform. For example, a subgroup of TT electrodes may be connected and/or configured to communicate with a voltage driver and/or voltage source of the voltage sources <NUM> such that the one voltage driver and/or voltage source may operate the subgroup of TT electrodes. Thus, in an example embodiment, the number of voltage sources <NUM> needed to operate a beltway region may correspond to the number of subgroups. For example, the three or more subgroups of TT electrodes in the beltway region <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be operated by three or more voltage waveforms. For example, the beltway region <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be connected and/or configured to communicate with at least three voltage drivers and/or voltage sources of the voltage sources <NUM>. Specifically, the electrical and/or magnetic field generated at least in part by the voltages applied throughout the three or more subgroups of TT electrodes may trap at least one atomic object in one of the plurality of potential wells above the upper surface of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> and/or the elliptical gap between the RF electrodes.

In various embodiments, the subgroups of TT electrodes may be operated to move a plurality of electrical potential wells such as to cause at least one atomic object to be transported from a zone of the elliptical trapping region in the longitudinal gating region <NUM> to another zone of the elliptical trapping region in the longitudinal gating region <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the subgroups of TT electrodes may be operated to transport the at least one atomic object from a first substantially parallel longitudinal region of the elliptical trapping region to a second substantially parallel longitudinal region of the elliptical trapping region, the two substantially parallel longitudinal regions being portions of the elliptical trapping region located within the longitudinal gating region <NUM>. As previously described, the elliptical trapping region may be a three-dimensional volume above the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> within which atomic objects are trapped and/or contained, and may be located above (e.g., in the positive z-direction) the TT electrode sequence <NUM> disposed between the RF electrodes. For example, TT voltages may be raised or lowered across the three or more subgroups of TT electrodes to promote transit of at least one atomic object and/or resist further transit of the at least one atomic object.

In various example embodiments, the beltway region <NUM> may also comprise a load hole <NUM> configured for loading atomic objects into the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. The load hole <NUM> may be a through hole extending through the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> and through the atomic object trap chip and/or substrate on which the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> is defined to allow an atomic object source (e.g., an effusive oven) to be disposed below the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> such that an atomic object from the atomic object source may travel through the load hole <NUM> into the beltway region <NUM>. Once the atomic object enters the beltway region <NUM> through the load hole <NUM>, the atomic object may be ionized, and the resulting ionized atomic object may become trapped due to the electrical fields and/or corresponding potential generated by the two or more RF electrodes and the three or more TT electrode sequences. In an example embodiment, an atomic object may enter the beltway region <NUM> via the load hole <NUM> and be interacted with by one of the manipulation sources <NUM>, which may ionize said atomic object such that the resulting atomic object is trapped within the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. In various example embodiments, the beltway region <NUM> may be configured to receive an atomic object through the load hole <NUM>, stabilize the atomic object within the beltway region <NUM>, enable manipulation of the atomic object via one or more manipulation sources <NUM> (e.g., to initialize the atomic object and/or ensure the atomic object is in a known, initial quantum state), and/or the like.

In an example embodiment, the loading TT electrodes 256A, 256B are TT electrodes located adjacent to the load hole <NUM>. For example, the load hole <NUM> may be a through hole that is disposed at least partially within the loading TT electrodes 256A, 256B. In various embodiments, the loading TT electrodes 256A, 256B are independently controlled (e.g., not part of subgroup A, B, or C). In the example embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the TT electrodes disposed on and/or neighboring either side of the loading TT electrodes 256A, 256B are both assigned to subgroup A. However, in various embodiments, the TT electrode disposed on a first side of the loading TT electrodes (e.g., adjacent to or neighboring loading TT electrode 256A) may be assigned to a first subgroup (e.g., subgroup A) and the TT electrode disposed on a second side of the loading TT electrodes (e.g., adjacent to or neighboring loading TT electrode 256B) may be assigned to a different subgroup (e.g., subgroup B or C).

As mentioned above, the beltway region <NUM> may comprise the arc-spanning beltway regions of the outer TT electrode sequence and the inner TT electrode sequence, the outer TT electrode sequence being disposed radially outward from the outer RF electrode <NUM> and the inner TT electrode sequence being disposed radially inward from the inner RF electrode <NUM>, as shown generally in <FIG>. The outer and the inner TT electrode sequences each comprise a plurality of TT electrodes. In various example embodiments, one TT electrode of the outer TT electrode sequence and one TT electrode of the inner TT electrode sequence may correspond to n TT electrodes of the TT electrode sequence <NUM> disposed between the RF electrodes, where n is greater than <NUM>. In an example embodiment, n is at least three. Thus, one outer TT electrode and one inner TT electrode may correspond to at least three TT electrodes and may be configured to assist in creating, stabilizing, and moving the single electrical potential well above the at least three TT electrodes. In various other example embodiments, the number of outer TT electrodes and the number of inner TT electrodes that correspond to n TT electrodes may be adjusted based on the curvature of the electrodes. For example, the inner circumferential width (e.g., dimension in the x-y plane) of each TT electrode of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> is less than the outer circumferential width of each TT electrode due to the curved geometry, thus the number of outer TT electrodes corresponding to at least three TT electrodes may be higher than the number of inner TT electrodes. In an example embodiment, the outer and inner TT electrode sequences may be operated independently of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> disposed between the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>. Specifically, the outer and inner TT electrodes may be operated by voltage waveforms different and/or independent from the three or more voltage waveforms operating the three or more subgroups of TT electrodes disposed between the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>.

The dimensions of each outer TT electrode and inner TT electrode may be adjusted such that one outer and one inner TT electrode correspond to at least three TT electrodes of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM>. Returning to <FIG>, the two outer TT electrodes at the end of each beltway region (e.g., two outer TT electrodes at each end of the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>) may also be configured to have a reduced radial depth. The width of these outer TT electrodes at least at the end of each beltway region may be reduced as illustrated to reduce interference with electrical signals being conducted through the outer and inner RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> and/or electrical leads (e.g., in electrical communication with the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or one or more TT electrodes) that extend under the RF and/or TT electrodes of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> (e.g., at the ends of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>). For example, in some embodiments, the effect of the electric fields generated by the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may extend underneath the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>, and a reduction of the radial dimension of these outer TT electrodes by a configurable amount may prevent and/or reduce such effect underneath the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. In various example embodiments, the dimensions of the outer and inner TT electrodes may be determined and/or modified in order to enable electrical potentials to be generated above the corresponding at least three TT electrodes of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM>.

Continuing to <FIG>, an example portion of a longitudinal gating region <NUM> of an elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> is illustrated. The longitudinal gating region <NUM> comprises the substantially parallel longitudinal regions of the two or more RF electrodes and the substantially parallel longitudinal regions of the three or more TT electrode sequences. For example, the substantially parallel longitudinal regions of RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> and the TT electrode sequences <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are illustrated in <FIG>. It will be understood that <FIG> only provides a portion of a longitudinal gating region <NUM> and not a longitudinal gating region <NUM> in its entirety such as is shown in <FIG>. In an example embodiment, the longitudinal gating region <NUM> may be substantially similar to, comprise of, and/or the same as a longitudinal ion trap, such as those described in co-pending <CIT>.

In various example embodiments, the longitudinal gating region <NUM> is arranged into a plurality of zones. Therefore, each substantially parallel longitudinal region of the three TT electrode sequences <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is also arranged into a plurality of zones. For example, <FIG> illustrates the portion of the longitudinal gating region <NUM> being arranged into three zones 214A, 212A, 214B in the upper half and three zones 214C, 212B, 214D in the lower half. Each zone may comprise a portion of each of the two or more RF electrodes and the three or more TT electrode sequences. Each zone may also comprise a portion of the elliptical trapping region. As mentioned previously, the elliptical trapping region may be a three-dimensional volume above the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> within which atomic objects are trapped and/or contained, and may be specifically located above the at least one TT electrode sequence disposed between the RF electrodes. Thus, an atomic object trapped in a portion of the elliptical trapping region above the portion of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> in zone 212A may be considered simply to be trapped in zone 212A.

In various example embodiments, the plurality of zones comprise a plurality of gating zones and a plurality of auxiliary zones. For example, zones 212A, 212B may be a gating zones 212A, 212B, and zones 214A, 214B, 214C, 214D may be auxiliary zones 214A, 214B, 214C, 214D. In various example embodiments, each gating zone may be disposed between two auxiliary zones. In other words, an atomic object may enter an auxiliary zone <NUM> immediately when being transported out of a gating zone <NUM> and prior to entering any other gating zone <NUM>. In various example embodiments, each gating zone <NUM> may comprise a number of electrodes of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> disposed between the RF electrodes. In an example embodiment, each gating zone <NUM> comprises five electrodes of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> disposed between the RF electrodes. For example, a gating zone <NUM> may comprise TT electrodes 252A-E, as shown in <FIG> (TT electrodes 252B, 252C, 252D not explicitly labelled to reduce visual clutter of the drawing). In various example embodiments, TT electrodes 252A-E may be individually controllable. For example, each TT electrode 252A-E may be connected to and/or configured to be in electrical communication with a different voltage driver and/or voltage source of the voltage sources <NUM>. Thus, it is clear that the TT electrodes of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> in the longitudinal gating region <NUM> differ from the TT electrodes of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> in the arc-spanning beltway regions <NUM> because the TT electrodes in the longitudinal gating region may not be arranged into subgroups and may be individually controllable. In various example embodiments, TT electrodes 252A-E may each have different circumferential widths. For example, TT electrodes 252A, 252E may be wide-matched electrodes, whereas TT electrodes 252B, 252C, 252D may be narrow-matched electrodes.

In various example embodiments, each gating zone <NUM> may comprise a number of outer gating electrodes <NUM> of the outer TT electrode sequence <NUM> and a number of inner gating electrodes <NUM> of the inner TT electrode sequence <NUM>. For example, gating zone 212A of the outer TT electrode sequence <NUM> may comprise at least five TT electrodes, and gating zone 212A of the inner TT electrode sequence <NUM> may comprise at least five TT electrodes as well (e.g., outer gating electrode <NUM> as illustrated may be outer gating electrodes 262A-262E). As a result, each gating zone <NUM> may comprise fifteen TT electrodes from the three or more TT electrode sequences. In various example embodiments, the number of gating electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> from the outer and inner TT electrode sequences <NUM>, <NUM> belonging to a gating zone <NUM> may be determined, configured, and/or modified based at least in part on an action to be performed on an atomic object within the gating zone <NUM> or a level of control needed over the electrical potential in the gating zone <NUM>. In various embodiments, the electrodes within a gating zone <NUM> may be individually controllable. For example, each outer electrode <NUM>, inner electrode <NUM>, and electrode <NUM> disposed between the RF electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may be operated by a different voltage driver and/or voltage source of the voltage sources <NUM>.

In various example embodiments, each gating zone <NUM> is configured for an action to be performed on at least one atomic object within each gating zone 212A. For example, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> may be configured to trap at least one atomic object in a portion of an elliptical trapping region within gating zone 212A, where gating zone 212A may be configured to perform a specific action on the at least one atomic object. Example actions may include split operations (e.g., dividing two atomic objects that were in the same potential well into two distinct and/or separate potential wells), combine operations (e.g., bringing two atomic objects into the same potential well), swap operations (e.g., switching the relative positions of two or more atomic objects within the atomic object trap), and/or other functions that may enable the controlled evolution of a quantum state of at least one atomic object trapped within the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> and/or the arbitrary rearrangement of one or more trapped atomic objects. For example, the ability to arbitrarily arrange one or more trapped atomic objects allows for arbitrary pairs of atomic objects to be placed in each gating zone <NUM>, which allows for quantum gate operations to be performed. Following the execution of such quantum gate operations, the atomic objects may be arbitrarily rearranged and transported out of a gating zone <NUM> to facilitate another operation to be performed in the same gating zone <NUM>.

The various actions that may be performed within gating zones <NUM> may be caused by a manipulation source of the manipulation sources <NUM>. In various example embodiments, one manipulation source of the manipulation sources <NUM> may be configured to cause actions in different gating zones <NUM>. For example, a manipulation source such as laser beam 66B may be configured to cause an action to be performed in gating zone 212A and another action to be performed in gating zone 212B, due to the relative proximity of the two zones. In another example, a manipulation source may be configured to cause actions to be performed in two gating zones that are more spatially separated (e.g., on different ends of the longitudinal gating region <NUM>). In various example embodiments, a number of manipulation sources are required to cool one or more trapped atomic objects in a gating zone <NUM> to near their motional ground state before quantum gate operations may be performed on the one or more trapped atomic objects. In an example embodiment, the manipulation sources used to cool the one or more trapped atomic objects may be different than the manipulation sources used to cause the execution of quantum gate operations. Even further, another number of manipulation sources may be used to generate state-dependent fluorescence from the trapped atomic objects after quantum gate operations have been performed. In an example embodiment, the manipulation sources used to generate state-dependent fluorescence may be different than the manipulation sources used to cause the execution of quantum gate operations and the manipulation sources used to cool the one or more trapped atomic objects.

In various example embodiments, each auxiliary zone <NUM> may comprise a number of electrodes of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> disposed between the RF electrodes. In an example embodiment, each auxiliary zone <NUM> comprises three electrodes of the TT electrode sequence <NUM> disposed between the RF electrodes. For example, an auxiliary zone <NUM> may comprise TT electrodes 254A-C, as shown in <FIG> (TT electrodes 254A, 254C not explicitly labelled to reduce visual clutter in the drawing). In various example embodiments, TT electrodes 254A and 254C may be wide-matched electrodes, whereas TT electrode 254B may be a narrow-matched electrode. Each auxiliary zone <NUM> may also comprise a number of outer auxiliary electrodes <NUM> of the outer TT electrode sequence <NUM> and a number of inner auxiliary electrodes <NUM> of the inner TT electrode sequence <NUM>. For example, auxiliary zone 214A may comprise one outer auxiliary electrode <NUM> from the outer TT electrode sequence <NUM> and one inner auxiliary electrode <NUM> from the inner TT electrode sequence <NUM>. As a result, each auxiliary zone may comprise five TT electrodes from the three or more TT electrode sequences. Each TT electrode within an auxiliary zone <NUM> may be individually controllable. For example, each of TT electrodes 254A-C, outer auxiliary electrode <NUM>, and inner auxiliary electrode <NUM> of an auxiliary zone <NUM> may be connected to and/or configured to be in electrical communication with a different voltage driver and/or voltage source of the voltage sources <NUM>.

In various example embodiments, each auxiliary zone <NUM> may be configured for stabilizing and/or storing an atomic object therein, separating at least one atomic object from a potential well having multiple atomic objects therein into a different potential well, and for transporting the atomic object therethrough. In various example embodiments, an auxiliary zone <NUM> may be configured and/or designed to accommodate storage and/or stabilization of one or more atomic objects during various atomic object transport steps.

In each gating zone <NUM> or auxiliary zone <NUM>, electrical fields generated as a result of voltages applied to the various TT electrodes within each zone may trap at least one atomic object in a potential well above the upper surface of each zone. Furthermore, these electrical fields may be manipulated by controlling the applied voltages to then promote transit of the at least one atomic object to another zone or resist further transit of the at least one atomic object. To further contribute to controlling transit between the various zones and/or stabilizing the at least one atomic object trapped in a particular zone, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> may be operated within a cryogenic and/or vacuum chamber capable of cooling the atomic object trap to a temperature of less than <NUM> Kelvin (e.g., less than <NUM> Kelvin, less than <NUM> Kelvin, less than <NUM> Kelvin, less than <NUM> Kelvin, and/or the like), in various embodiments.

Various embodiments of an elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> may comprise more or fewer gating zones <NUM>, and a corresponding greater or lesser number of auxiliary zones <NUM> than illustrated in <FIG>. A variety of number of gating zones <NUM> and/or auxiliary zones <NUM> and various arrangements thereof may be used in various embodiments, as appropriate for the application. For example, returning to the example embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> comprises eight gating zones <NUM> and ten auxiliary zones <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example method <NUM> for operating a quantum computer system comprising an atomic object trap apparatus and/or package. For example, the method <NUM> may be performed to operate the quantum computer system <NUM> comprising the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM>. Specifically, the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> may comprise an elliptical atomic object trap according to the example embodiments provided in the present disclosure, such as elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> illustrated in Figures 2A-D. In various embodiments, the quantum computer system <NUM> may comprise means for executing and/or performing the method <NUM>. For example, the method <NUM> may be executed at least in part by the controller <NUM> and/or the computing entity <NUM>.

Starting at block <NUM>, a plurality of atomic objects may be loaded through a load hole of an atomic object trap. The load hole may be located at an arc-spanning beltway region of a trapping and/or transport (TT) electrode sequence, such as the arc-spanning beltway region of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. That is, the TT electrode sequence may be substantially elliptically-shaped and disposed between two substantially elliptically-shaped radio frequency (RF) electrodes, wherein each substantially elliptically-shaped TT electrode sequence and RF electrode comprises two substantially parallel longitudinal regions and two arc-spanning beltway regions. For example, the load hole <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be an example of a load hole through which a plurality of atomic objects are loaded at block <NUM>. In various embodiments, the load hole <NUM> may be defined in a location in the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> that minimizes perturbance of atomic objects trapped in the longitudinal gating region <NUM> or beltway region <NUM> (e.g., during a loading operation). For example, the load hole <NUM> may be defined at the end of the beltway region <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> to minimize perturbance of atomic objects trapped in the longitudinal gating region <NUM>. In various example embodiments, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> may comprise one or more load holes <NUM>, and a load hole <NUM> may be selected for loading a plurality of atomic objects based on a relative distance away from the trapped atomic objects within the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. After loading of the plurality of atomic objects, the plurality of atomic objects may be trapped within the elliptical trapping region located above the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>. Specifically, the plurality of atomic objects may be trapped in a portion of the elliptical trapping region located above the load hole <NUM> through which the plurality was loaded.

In various example embodiments, loading a plurality of atomic objects through a load hole may comprise the use of an effusive oven which may provide atomic flux through the load hole. For example, the effusive oven may be a part of the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> and/or the quantum computing system <NUM>. The effusive oven may be operated to a specific temperature and/or temperature range configured to provide a pre-determined amount of atomic flux through the load hole. In various other embodiments, the quantum computing system <NUM> and/or the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> may comprise means for providing atomic flux through the load hole. In various example embodiments, loading a plurality of atomic objects through a load hole <NUM> further comprises the use of a photo-ionization laser above the load hole to convert the provided atomic flux into ionized atomic objects. For example, the photo-ionization laser may be a part of the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> and/or the quantum computing system <NUM>. In various embodiments, the quantum computing system <NUM> and/or the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> may comprise various means for converting the neutral atomic flux into ionized atomic objects. The provided atomic flux may be electrically neutral. In various example embodiments, the photo-ionization laser may be one of the manipulation sources <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG> at block <NUM>, the plurality of atomic objects may be cooled using a cooling laser beam. For example, the quantum computing system <NUM> and/or atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> may comprise a cooling laser beam or means for cooling a plurality of atomic objects. In various example embodiments, the cooling laser beam may be configured to be operated at a specific frequency, wavelength, temperature and/or the like to cool the plurality of atomic objects to a specific pre-determined temperature, temperature range, kinetic energy, kinetic energy range, and/or the like. For example, the controller <NUM> may operate the cooling laser beam with determined parameters to cool the plurality of atomic objects to a specific pre-determined temperature, temperature range, kinetic energy, kinetic energy range, and/or the like. In various example embodiments, the cooling laser beam may be one of the manipulation sources <NUM>. For example, the plurality of atomic objects may be cooled sufficiently that the atomic objects may be captured, maintained, and/or the like within one or more potential wells generated by the RF and/or TT electrodes of the atomic object trap. In various example embodiments, the cooling laser beam may specifically be a Doppler cooling laser beam. In an example embodiment, the interaction of a cooling laser beam with an atomic object may cause the atomic object to cool by fluorescing and/or luminescing (e.g., emitting one or more photons).

At block <NUM>, an amount of fluorescence emitted by the plurality of atomic objects may be detected. The amount of fluorescence may be emitted as a result of the cooling of the plurality of atomic objects (see block <NUM>). Specifically, the amount of fluorescence emitted may be dependent on one or more of a number of atomic objects cooled, the resulting temperature and/or kinetic energy of the plurality of atomic objects, the starting temperature and/or kinetic energy (before cooling) of the plurality of atomic objects, and various parameters of the cooling laser beam or means used to cool the plurality of atomic objects. In various example embodiments, the quantum computing system <NUM> and/or the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> may comprise means, such as a photo-detector (e.g., photodiode, photon multiplier tube, and/or the like), for detecting the amount of fluorescence emitted by the plurality of atomic objects. In an example embodiment, the controller <NUM> may be configured to operate such means, such as a photo-detector, and/or receive a signal therefrom and control some components and/or parameters such as an aperture or image filters. In various example embodiments, the fluorescence emitted by the plurality of atomic objects may specifically be Doppler fluorescence.

At block <NUM>, the plurality of atomic objects may be transported, from one portion of the elliptical trapping region to another portion of the elliptical trapping region. Before the execution of block <NUM>, the plurality of atomic objects may be trapped and/or contained in a portion of the elliptical trapping region substantially above and/or corresponding to the load hole <NUM>. In order for the plurality of atomic objects to be transported to a different portion of the elliptical trapping region, the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM> may (e.g., by a controller <NUM>) raise or lower TT voltages across the three or more subgroups of TT electrodes to promote transit of the plurality of atomic objects. For example, raising, lowering, or otherwise modifying voltage waveforms provided to the TT electrodes of the beltway region may move a plurality of potential wells within which the plurality of atomic objects are trapped and/or contained. Transporting the plurality of atomic objects may cause at least one electrical potential to be generated that is configured to cause loading of a second plurality of atomic objects through the load hole. In various example embodiments, the transporting may depend on the detection of an appropriate amount of fluorescence at block <NUM>. For instance, block <NUM> may not begin or execute until a pre-determined threshold of fluorescence is detected; that is, block <NUM> may repeat indefinitely until such a threshold criteria is met and/or satisfied. In some embodiments, the method <NUM> may terminate if the pre-determined threshold of fluorescence is not detected for a pre-determined amount of time.

The plurality of atomic objects may be transported from a portion of the arc-spanning beltway region of the second TT electrode sequence to another portion of the arc-spanning beltway region of the second TT electrode sequence. To be precise, the plurality of atomic objects may be located above (e.g., in the positive z-direction) the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> in the elliptical trapping region (as described above in the context of Figures 2A-D), and may be transported from a location above one portion of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM> to another location above another portion of the second TT electrode sequence <NUM>. In various example embodiments, a portion of the TT electrode sequence over which a plurality of atomic objects may be trapped and transported to/from may be defined by n or more TT electrodes, where n is greater than <NUM>. In an example embodiment, n is at least three. For example, as described in context of <FIG>, the TT electrodes of the TT electrode sequence <NUM> may each belong to different subgroups, thereby allowing the creation and movement of a plurality of electrical potential wells. Thus, the plurality of atomic objects may be transported by operation of the TT electrodes of the TT electrode sequence <NUM>, or more specifically, operation of each subgroup of TT electrodes. In various example embodiments, the arc-spanning beltway region operates like a "conveyor belt," such that the plurality of atomic objects may be transported to a neighboring portion, each portion defined by n or more TT electrodes. In various example embodiments, the plurality of atomic objects may be transported from the arc-spanning beltway region directly to a zone within the longitudinal gating region <NUM> of the elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>.

In various example embodiments, the transporting of the plurality of atomic objects automatically creates a new electrical potential above the load hole, causing and/or allowing loading of a second plurality of atomic objects through the load hole. In various example embodiments, the method <NUM> may be repeated for a number of times because the transporting of the plurality of atomic objects automatically may cause the loading of a second plurality of atomic objects. The method <NUM> may be repeated until the desired number of atomic objects are loaded into the elliptical atomic object trap. In various example embodiments, the second plurality of atomic objects may be a different species than the first plurality of atomic objects loaded at block <NUM>. For example, different atomic object species may be loaded to enable sympathetic laser cooling of some atomic objects trapped in the longitudinal gating region <NUM>.

Various embodiments provide technical solutions to the technical problem of providing an atomic object trap apparatus that provides sufficient atomic object location control, enables various atomic object transport functions (e.g., transport atomic objects, separating two or more atomic objects within one potential well into different potential wells, swapping and/or separating two atomic objects (e.g., dividing two atomic objects that were in the same potential well into two distinct and/or separate potential wells) and/or the like), and enables manipulation of atomic objects within the atomic object trap via manipulation sources, while at the same time minimizing physical space on a chip and minimizing the amount of voltage waveforms (e.g., electrical leads) required to operate such an atomic object trap apparatus. The novel elliptical atomic object trap architecture enables a relatively large number of trap zones (e.g., to thereby provide more qubits for a quantum computer system) with a relatively small number of electrical signals needed for operation and a relatively small physical area needed on an atomic object trap chip. The large number of trap zones enable the simultaneous trapping of a large number of atomic objects, thereby providing a quantum computing system with a large number of qubits. <FIG> illustrates an example architecture capable of simultaneously trapping over <NUM> separate atomic objects. The presently described elliptical atomic object trap architecture is further enabled for improved micro-fabrication as compared to micro-fabrication of prior atomic object traps.

In various embodiments, an atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM> is incorporated into a quantum computer <NUM>. In various embodiments, a quantum computer <NUM> further comprises a controller <NUM> configured to control various elements of the quantum computer <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may be configured to control the voltage sources <NUM>, a cryogenic system and/or vacuum system controlling the temperature and pressure within the cryogenic and/or vacuum chamber <NUM>, manipulation sources <NUM>, and/or other systems controlling the environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, pressure, and/or the like) within the cryogenic and/or vacuum chamber <NUM> and/or configured to manipulate and/or cause a controlled evolution of quantum states of one or more atomic objects within an elliptical atomic object trap of the atomic object trap apparatus and/or package <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may comprise various controller elements including processing elements <NUM>, memory <NUM>, driver controller elements <NUM>, a communication interface <NUM>, analog-digital converter elements <NUM>, and/or the like. For example, the processing elements <NUM> may comprise programmable logic devices (CPLDs), microprocessors, coprocessing entities, application-specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs), integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), hardware accelerators, other processing devices and/or circuitry, and/or the like. The term circuitry may refer to an entirely hardware embodiment or a combination of hardware and computer program products. In an example embodiment, the processing element <NUM> of the controller <NUM> comprises a clock and/or is in communication with a clock.

For example, the memory <NUM> may comprise non-transitory memory such as volatile and/or non-volatile memory storage such as one or more of as hard disks, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMCs, SD memory cards, Memory Sticks, CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, RRAM, SONOS, racetrack memory, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory, register memory, and/or the like. In various embodiments, the memory <NUM> may store qubit records corresponding the qubits of quantum computer (e.g., in a qubit record data store, qubit record database, qubit record table, and/or the like), a calibration table, an executable queue, computer program code (e.g., in a one or more computer languages, specialized controller language(s), and/or the like), and/or the like. In an example embodiment, execution of at least a portion of the computer program code stored in the memory <NUM> (e.g., by a processing element <NUM>) causes the controller <NUM> to perform one or more steps, operations, processes, procedures and/or the like described herein for tracking the phase of an atomic object within an atomic system and causing the adjustment of the phase of one or more manipulation sources and/or signal(s) generated thereby.

In various embodiments, the driver controller elements <NUM> may include one or more drivers and/or controller elements each configured to control one or more drivers. In various embodiments, the driver controller elements <NUM> may comprise drivers and/or driver controllers. For example, the driver controllers may be configured to cause one or more corresponding drivers to be operated in accordance with executable instructions, commands, and/or the like scheduled and executed by the controller <NUM> (e.g., by the processing element <NUM>). In various embodiments, the driver controller elements <NUM> may enable the controller <NUM> to operate a manipulation source <NUM>. In various embodiments, the drivers may be laser drivers; vacuum component drivers; drivers for controlling the flow of current and/or voltage applied to TT, RF, and/or other electrodes used for maintaining and/or controlling the atomic object trapping potential of an elliptical atomic object trap <NUM>; cryogenic and/or vacuum system component drivers; and/or the like. For example, the drivers may control and/or comprise TT and/or RF voltage drivers and/or voltage sources that provide voltages and/or electrical signals to the TT electrodes and/or RF electrodes via a plurality of leads. In various embodiments, the controller <NUM> comprises means for communicating and/or receiving signals from one or more optical receiver components such as cameras, MEMs cameras, CCD cameras, photodetectors, photodiodes, photomultiplier tubes, and/or the like. For example, the controller <NUM> may comprise one or more analog-digital converter elements <NUM> configured to receive signals from one or more optical receiver components, calibration sensors, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may comprise a communication interface <NUM> for interfacing and/or communicating with a computing entity <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may comprise a communication interface <NUM> for receiving executable instructions, command sets, and/or the like from the computing entity <NUM> and providing output received from the quantum computer <NUM> (e.g., from an optical collection system) and/or the result of a processing the output to the computing entity <NUM>. In various embodiments, the computing entity <NUM> and the controller <NUM> may communicate via a direct wired and/or wireless connection and/or one or more wired and/or wireless networks <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example computing entity <NUM> is illustrated. The example computing entity may be used in conjunction with embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, a computing entity <NUM> is configured to allow a user to provide input to the quantum computer system <NUM> (e.g., via a user interface of the user computing entity <NUM>) and receive, view, and/or the like output from the quantum computer system <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a computing entity <NUM> can include an antenna <NUM>, a transmitter <NUM> (e.g., radio), a receiver <NUM> (e.g., radio), and a processing element <NUM> that provides signals to and receives signals from the transmitter <NUM> and receiver <NUM>, respectively. The signals provided to and received from the transmitter <NUM> and the receiver <NUM>, respectively, may include signaling information/data in accordance with an air interface standard of applicable wireless systems to communicate with various entities, such as a controller <NUM>, other computing entities <NUM>, and/or the like. In this regard, the computing entity <NUM> may be capable of operating with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types. For example, the computing entity <NUM> may be configured to receive and/or provide communications using a wired data transmission protocol, such as fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), digital subscriber line (DSL), Ethernet, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), frame relay, data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS), or any other wired transmission protocol. Similarly, the computing entity <NUM> may be configured to communicate via wireless external communication networks using any of a variety of protocols, such as general packet radio service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access <NUM> (CDMA2000), CDMA2000 1X (1xRTT), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), IEEE <NUM> (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, <NUM> (WiMAX), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared (IR) protocols, near field communication (NFC) protocols, Wibree, Bluetooth protocols, wireless universal serial bus (USB) protocols, and/or any other wireless protocol. The computing entity <NUM> may use such protocols and standards to communicate using Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Domain Name System (DNS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), HTTP over TLS/SSL/Secure, Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), Network Time Protocol (NTP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Telnet, Transport Layer Security (TLS), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Datagram Congestion Control Protocol (DCCP), Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP), HyperText Markup Language (HTML), and/or the like.

Via these communication standards and protocols, the computing entity <NUM> can communicate with various other entities using concepts such as Unstructured Supplementary Service information/data (USSD), Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency Signaling (DTMF), and/or Subscriber Identity Module Dialer (SIM dialer). The computing entity <NUM> can also download changes, add-ons, and updates, for instance, to its firmware, software (e.g., including executable instructions, applications, program modules), and operating system.

According to one embodiment, the computing entity <NUM> may include location determining aspects, devices, modules, functionalities, and/or similar words used herein interchangeably. For example, the computing entity <NUM> may include outdoor positioning aspects, such as a location module adapted to acquire, for instance, latitude, longitude, altitude, geocode, course, direction, heading, speed, UTC, date, and/or various other information/data. In one embodiment, the location module can acquire data, sometimes known as ephemeris data, by identifying the number of satellites in view and the relative positions of those satellites. The satellites may be a variety of different satellites, including LEO satellite systems, DOD satellite systems, the European Union Galileo positioning systems, the Chinese Compass navigation systems, Indian Regional Navigational satellite systems, and/or the like. Alternatively, the location information/data may be determined by triangulating the user computing entity's <NUM> position in connection with a variety of other systems, including cellular towers, Wi-Fi access points, and/or the like. Similarly, the computing entity <NUM> may include indoor positioning aspects, such as a location module adapted to acquire, for example, latitude, longitude, altitude, geocode, course, direction, heading, speed, time, date, and/or various other information/data. Some of the indoor aspects may use various position or location technologies including RFID tags, indoor beacons or transmitters, Wi-Fi access points, cellular towers, nearby computing devices (e.g., smartphones, laptops) and/or the like. For instance, such technologies may include iBeacons, Gimbal proximity beacons, BLE transmitters, Near Field Communication (NFC) transmitters, and/or the like. These indoor positioning aspects can be used in a variety of settings to determine the location of someone or something to within inches or centimeters.

The computing entity <NUM> may also comprise a user interface device comprising one or more user input/output interfaces (e.g., a display <NUM> and/or speaker/speaker driver coupled to a processing element <NUM> and a touch screen, keyboard, mouse, and/or microphone coupled to a processing element <NUM>). For instance, the user output interface may be configured to provide an application, browser, user interface, interface, dashboard, screen, webpage, page, and/or similar words used herein interchangeably executing on and/or accessible via the computing entity <NUM> to cause display or audible presentation of information/data and for user interaction therewith via one or more user input interfaces. The user input interface can comprise any of a number of devices allowing the computing entity <NUM> to receive data, such as a keypad <NUM> (hard or soft), a touch display, voice/speech or motion interfaces, scanners, readers, or other input device. In embodiments including a keypad <NUM>, the keypad <NUM> can include (or cause display of) the conventional numeric (<NUM>-<NUM>) and related keys (#, *), and other keys used for operating the computing entity <NUM> and may include a full set of alphabetic keys or set of keys that may be activated to provide a full set of alphanumeric keys. In addition to providing input, the user input interface can be used, for example, to activate or deactivate certain functions, such as screen savers and/or sleep modes. Through such inputs the user computing entity <NUM> can collect information/data, user interaction/input, and/or the like.

The computing entity <NUM> can also include volatile storage or memory <NUM> and/or non-volatile storage or memory <NUM>, which can be embedded and/or may be removable. For instance, the non-volatile memory may be ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMCs, SD memory cards, Memory Sticks, CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, RRAM, SONOS, racetrack memory, and/or the like. The volatile memory may be RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory, register memory, and/or the like. The volatile and non-volatile storage or memory can store databases, database instances, database management system entities, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, and/or the like to implement the functions of the computing entity <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An atomic object trap apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
two or more radio frequency, RF, electrodes (<NUM>,<NUM>) formed concentrically in a substantially elliptical shape, and three or more trapping and/or transport, TT, sequences (<NUM>) formed concentrically each in a substantially elliptical shape,
wherein the two or more RF electrodes (<NUM>,<NUM>) and the three or more TT electrode sequences (<NUM>) each comprise fermtwo substantially parallel longitudinal regions (<NUM>) and two arc-spanning beltway regions (<NUM>) that connect the two substantially parallel longitudinal regions (<NUM>) to one another, the two or more RF electrodes and the three or more TT electrode sequences (<NUM>) defining a substantially elliptically shaped atomic object trap, wherein each substantially parallel longitudinal region (<NUM>) is arranged into a plurality of gating zones (<NUM>) and a plurality of auxiliary zones (<NUM>), wherein each gating zone of the plurality of gating zones is configured for gating operations to be performed on one or more atomic objects disposed therein, and at least one TT electrode sequence (<NUM>) of the three or more TT electrode sequences (<NUM>) being disposed concentrically between the two or more RF electrodes (<NUM>, <NUM>).