Ideal intersections for radio-frequency trap networks

Understand

We investigate the possible form of ideal intersections for two-dimensional rf trap networks suitable for quantum information processing with trapped ions.

• We show that the lowest order multipole component of the rf field that can contribute to an ideal intersection is a hexapole term uniquely determined by the tangents of the intersecting paths.
• The corresponding ponderomotive potential does not provide any confinement perpendicular to the paths if these intersect at right angles, indicating that ideal right-angle X intersections are impossible to achieve with hexapole fields.
• Based on this result, we propose an implementation of an ideal oblique-X intersection using a three-dimensional electrode structure.