Matthew Day, University of Bristol and National Physical Laboratory, UK
Trapped ions are one of the most mature platforms for quantum information processing, quantum-enhanced sensing, and precision spectroscopy. Scaling to large numbers of trapped ions remains an open, technological challenge that would help advance the functionality and usefulness of the platform. The production of ion microtrap arrays, fabricated using MEMS techniques, has provided a key component to this scaling challenge. The second key component is a scalable technique to deliver the necessary laser beams for ion control, as well as collection of the resulting fluorescence. Such a component does not yet exist. Here, we present the design of a potential solution to the optics scaling challenge based on laser-written waveguides and surface-relief diffractive optics. Progress towards realising the proposed design is shown. A 10-waveguide chip suitable for delivering blue and near-IR wavelength single-modes to two separate microtrap segments has been fabricated. High-efficiency continuous-relief diffractive optics have been fabricated in glass using focused ion-beam milling, and in PMMA using electron-beam lithography. We will present the remaining challenges to realisation and the steps required for full demonstration.