A surface electrode point Paul trap

Understand

We present a model as well as experimental results for a surface electrode radio-frequency Paul trap that has a circular electrode geometry well-suited for trapping of single ions and two-dimensional planar ion crystals.

• The trap design is compatible with microfabrication and offers a simple method by which the height of the trapped ions above the surface may be changed \emph{in situ}.
• We demonstrate trapping of single and few Sr+ ions over an ion height range of 200-1000 microns for several hours under Doppler laser cooling, and use these to characterize the trap, finding good agreement with our model.