Enhanced light collection from trapped ions

We present progress towards an ion trapping system capable of enhanced light collection based on nearby reflective optics~[1--3]. This may not only boost the fidelity and speed of trapped ion qubit measurement, but may also greatly improve probabilistic entangling schemes relying on the collection and interference of single photons~[4]. Two proposed schemes will be realized by placing a trapped Yb$^{+}$ ion either at the focus of a 5 mm spherical mirror or inside a one-sided optical cavity ($\mathcal{F}\approx$ 4500). Both experiments will utilize a double-endcap ion trap whereby the ion--electrode spacing can be varied \emph{in situ}~[5]. Additionally, we discuss several methods of generating entanglement within the context of the collection schemes. \\ \\ This work is supported by IARPA under ARO contract, the NSF PIF Program, and the NSF Physics Frontier Center at JQI. \\ \\ $[1]$ N. Lindlen, et al. {\it Laser Physics} {\bf 17},927 (2007) $[2]$ G. Guthorlein, et al., {\it Nature} {\bf 414}, 49 (2001) $[3]$ A. B. Mundt, et al. {\it Phys. Rev. Lett.}, {\bf 89}, 103001, (2002) $[4]$ D. L. Moehring, et al. {\it Nature} {\bf 449}, 68 (2007) $[5]$ L. Deslauriers, et al. {\it Phys. Rev. Lett.} {\bf 97}, 103007 (2006)