We implement the proof of principle for the quantum walk of one ion in a linear ion trap. With a single-step fidelity exceeding 0.99, we perform three steps of an asymmetric walk on the line. We clearly reveal the differences to its classical counterpart if we allow the walker/ion to take all classical paths simultaneously. Quantum interferences enforce asymmetric, non-classical distributions in the highly entangled degrees of freedom (of coin and position states). We theoretically study and experimentally observe the limitation in the number of steps of our approach, that is imposed by motional squeezing. We propose an altered protocol based on methods of impulsive steps to overcome these restrictions, in principal allowing to scale the quantum walk to several hundreds of steps.PACS numbers: 03.67. Ac, 05.40Fb, 0504Jc A quantum walk[1] is the deterministic quantum mechanical extension of a classical random walk. A simple classical version requires two basic operations: Tossing the coin (coin-operation), allowing for two possible and random outcomes. Dependent on this outcome, the walker performs a step to the right or left (stepoperation). In the quantum mechanical extension the operations allow for coherent superpositions of entangled coin and position states. After several iterations the probability to be in a certain position is determined by quantum mechanical interference of the walker state that leads to fundamentally different characteristics of the walk [2].The motivation for studying quantum walks is twofold. On the one hand, many classical algorithms include random walks. Examples can be found in biology, psychology, economics and physics, for example Einstein's simple model for Brownian motion [3]. The extension of the walk to quantum mechanics might allow for substantial speedup of related quantum versions [2], as in prominent algorithms suggested by Shor[4] and Grover [5] due to other quantum-subroutines. On the other hand, the quantum walk could lead to new insights into entanglement and decoherence in mesoscopic systems [6]. These topics might be explored by increasing the amount of walkers -even before any algorithm might benefit from the quantum random walk.Quantum walks have been thoroughly investigated theoretically and first attempts at implementation have been performed with a very limited amount of steps due to a lack of operation fidelity or fundamental restrictions within the protocol. Some aspects have been realized on the longitudinal modes of a linear optical resonator [7] and in a nuclear magnetic resonance experiment [8]. An implementation based on neutral atoms in a spin-dependent optical lattice[9, 10, 11] has resulted in an experiment recently. Other proposals considered an array of microtraps illuminated by a set of microlenses [12] and Bose-Einstein condensates [13]. Travaglione and Milburn[14] proposed a scheme for trapped ions to transfer the high operational fidelities [6] obtained in quantum information processing (QIP) into To implement the deterministic "tossing of t...

For several decades, ions have been trapped by radio frequency (RF) and neutral particles by optical fields. We implement the experimental proof-of-principle for trapping an ion in an optical dipole trap. While loading, initialization and final detection are performed in a RF trap, in between, this RF trap is completely disabled and substituted by the optical trap. The measured lifetime of milliseconds allows for hundreds of oscillations within the optical potential. It is mainly limited by heating due to photon scattering. In future experiments the lifetime may be increased by further detuning the laser and cooling the ion. We demonstrate the prerequisite to merge both trapping techniques in hybrid setups to the point of trapping ions and atoms in the same optical potential.

We report on three-dimensional optical trapping of single ions in an optical lattice formed by two counter-propagating laser beams. We characterize the trapping parameters of the standing wave using the ion as a sensor stored in a hybrid trap consisting of a radio-frequency (rf), a dc, and the optical potential. When loading ions directly from the rf into the standing-wave trap, we observe a dominant heating rate. Monte Carlo simulations confirm rf-induced parametric excitations within the deep optical lattice as the main source. We demonstrate a way around this effect by an alternative transfer protocol which involves an intermediate step of optical confinement in a single-beam trap avoiding the temporal overlap of the standing wave and the rf field. Implications arise for hybrid (rf/optical) and pure optical traps as platforms for ultra-cold chemistry experiments exploring atom-ion collisions or quantum simulation experiments with ions, or combinations of ions and atoms.PACS numbers: 37.10. Ty, 03.67.Lx, 34.50.Cx, 34.70.+e Offering unique operational fidelities and individual addressability, atomic ions in radio-frequency (rf) traps are one of the most successful and promising systems for quantum computation [1, 2] and quantum metrology [3]. Due to strong short-as well as long-range interactions in Coulomb crystals, they are also predestined for quantum simulation experiments [4] of, e.g., solidstate physics models [5][6][7]. However, experiments on the quantum level with ions in rf traps have been limited to the order of ten ions arranged in a linear string and a common trapping potential [8,9]. Experimental approaches to scaling particle numbers and dimensionality of trapped-ion quantum simulations are mainly based on surface-electrode micro-trap arrays [7,[10][11][12] and Penning traps [13].Extending the recent demonstration of ion trapping in a single-beam dipole trap [14,15] to optical lattices has been proposed [16] to offer an alternative route to scaling by combining the advantages of Coulomb interactions with the scalability and versatility that have been developed for optical lattices [17]. Such a system additionally allows for storing ions and atoms in a common trap. This may become essential [18] for ultracold atomion collision experiments [19][20][21][22] because of the strong suppression of micromotion [23]. In this context optical lattices may be useful, be it to increase trap depths, store several ions/atoms in separate micro-wells or as conveyor belts [24] for individual ions/atoms.In the past, standing waves were already used in combination with ions and rf traps to study particle dynamics [25] and were considered for preparing non-classical motional states [26] as well as implementing forces that depend on the electronic state [5,16]. Additionally, there are proposals for quantum simulations requiring the local shaping of the trapping potential of a rf-trapped Coulomb crystal by an optical lattice [27,28].

We recently reported on a proof-of-principle experiment demonstrating optical trapping of an ion in a single-beam dipole trap superimposed by a static electric potential [Nat. Photonics 4, 772--775 (2010)]. Here, we first discuss the experimental procedures focussing on the influence and consequences of the static electric potential. These potentials can easily prevent successful optical trapping, if their configuration is not chosen carefully. Afterwards, we analyse the dipole trap experiments with different analytic models, in which different approximations are applied. According to these models the experimental results agree with recoil heating as the relevant heating effect. In addition, a Monte-Carlo simulation has been developed to refine the analysis. It reveals a large impact of the static electric potential on the dipole trap experiments in general. While it supports the results of the analytic models for the parameters used in the experiments, the analytic models cease their validity for significantly different parameters. Finally, we propose technical improvements for future realizations of experiments with optically trapped ions.Comment: 16 pages, 16 figure