Scalability of ion-trapping systems for quantum technology applications

Scalability is a central challenge in quantum technology applications across all leading platforms, including trapped-ion systems. While scalability is often framed in terms of increasing the number and quality of qubits within a single system, a focus that has driven substantial progress in quantum computing, it also encompasses a second, comparatively underdeveloped dimension: scaling the number of ion-trapping systems themselves and enabling their deployment outside of laboratory settings. This latter aspect is critical for emerging applications in distributed quantum computing, quantum networks, and quantum sensing.

Here, we discuss holistic, platform-level design considerations for ion-trapping systems specifically optimized for quantum networking and sensing applications, and present the platforms we have developed toward this goal. Our systems are based on a newly introduced monolithic blade ion-trap architecture, which combines the advantages of microfabricated traps with the excellent trapping properties of traditional blade traps. These traps exhibit long coherence times and motional heating rates at room temperature that are comparable to those achieved in cryogenic systems [1]. Our trapping systems are designed to reduce several major barriers to large-scale deployment in real-world conditions, including reduced environmental and infrastructure requirements.