Radial Two-Dimensional Ion Crystals in a Linear Paul Trap

We experimentally study two-dimensional (2D) Coulomb crystals in the radial-2D phase of a linear Paul trap. This phase is identified by a 2D ion lattice aligned entirely with the radial plane and is created by imposing a large ratio of axial to radial trapping potentials. Using arrays of up to 19 Yb-171(+) ions, we demonstrate that the structural phase boundaries of such crystals are well described by the pseudopotential approximation, despite the time-dependent ion positions driven by intrinsic micromotion. We further observe that micromotion-induced heating of the radial-2D crystal is confined to the radial plane. Finally, we verify that the transverse motional modes, which are used in most ion-trap quantum simulation schemes, are well-predictable numerically and remain decoupled and cold in this geometry. Our results establish radial-2D ion crystals as a robust experimental platform for realizing a variety of theoretical proposals in quantum simulation and computation.

Automated summary

Researchers experimentally studied two-dimensional (2D) Coulomb crystals in the radial-2D phase of a linear Paul trap, finding that the structural phase boundaries of such crystals can be well described by the pseudopotential approximation and the micromotion-induced heating is confined to the radial plane. They also verified that the transverse motional modes remain decoupled and cold in this geometric configuration, confirming the radial-2D ion crystals as a robust experimental platform for various theoretical proposals in quantum simulation and computation.