Building a Quantum Simulator Using Trapped Ions

Quantum simulators are by their nature purpose built devices that allow to simulate the dynamics of a difficult to study quantum (or classical) system by using a more accessible one. I will present the objectives and technical challenges associated with building a quantum simulator for transverse Ising-type Hamiltonians with engineered interaction strengths through the example of our planned experiment: a 2D Coulomb crystal of ⁹Be⁺ confined in a Penning trap.
I will discuss particular technical challenges in system design and integration of a trapped ion based quantum simulator with hundreds of qubits in a Penning trap, such as building a custom hundreds of mW 313 nm laser system, designing and building inbore optomechanics in a custom superconducting magnet-reliquifier system, or designing a custom 1.34 f-number imaging system. I will also present our recent results on producing UV-compatible single mode fiber patch cords that emerged out of this process. While we use these fibers for delivering stable 313 nm light for light-ion interaction, they are of interest for applications in a broad range of disciplines in science, industry and medicine.