AC Zeeman shifts in surface electrode ion traps

Since their invention in 2005, surface electrode ion traps have been rapidly adopted in quantum science and technology due to their scalability and miniaturizability. Like all RF Paul traps, they use an AC electric quadrupole potential to confine the ions. However, unlike conventional three-dimensional RF Paul traps, their inherent asymmetry and typically smaller sizes result in larger AC magnetic fields at the ion positions due to the RF currents that drive the electrodes to generate the trapping electric potential. The magnetic fields cause unwanted AC Zeeman shifts, which cause errors in both metrology and quantum information. We present a new method for calculating AC magnetic fields and corresponding AC Zeeman shifts in surface electrode ion traps, compare the results to experimental measurements of two Sandia-fabricated traps, and offer insights on designing surface electrode ion traps with lower AC magnetic fields.