The UMass+ Trapped Ion Quantum Computing and Photonics lab led by Professor Robert Niffenegger develops integrated technologies like photonics for trapped ion quantum processor units (QPUs). One of the main obstacles for large scale and fault tolerant quantum computing with trapped ion qubits is the difficulty of individually addressing multiple ions using external optical lenses. Developing trapped ion quantum processors with integrated photonics and other integrated technologies like laser sources, digital and analog electronics and single photon detectors may enable the next generation of quantum hardware towards large scale quantum computers and practical applications.

The UMass+ room temperature ion trap system (Professor Robert Niffenegger and Chris Caron)

Check out our research page for more details on our work developing a monolithic ion trap system on a chip!

We trap ions with surface electrode traps designed, fabricated, and packaged at UMass Amherst. This includes applications of surface treatments to clean the surface and reduce anomalous heating rates.

SEM of UMass logo in the trap metal of an ion trap test chip after fabrication.
Ion trapping command center (Chris Caron and Professor Robert Niffenegger)

We have open positions if you’re interested in joining our lab.

We gratefully acknowledge support from these sponsors:

Robert Niffenegger Obtains Prestigious NSF CAREER Award to Revolutionize Research with “Trapped Ions”