Quantum information science has emerged as a revolutionary new paradigm in information technology whose impact could span all society. Successful physical implementation of devices capable of storing and manipulation information stored in quantum systems could lead to exponentially more powerful computers and absolutely secure cryptography. The work to be performed under this award will merge two complementary technologies at the forefront of quantum information science: trapped atomic ions and cavity-QED. Individual trapped ions are unmatched in their performance as quantum memories, and single photons are the only realistic carrier of quantum information between remote locations. A scalable trapped ion + cavity system capable of storing, manipulating, and transmitting quantum information over large distances will be developed. The significant technical hurdles challenging the objectives of this work will be systematically studied, and the state-of-the-art in critical underlying technologies will be advanced through a close collaboration with key industrial companies and fabrication facilities. A theoretical component will explore coupling strategies between atomic and photonic qubits, while supporting the experimental program with realistic models of actual devices.
