Metastable Qubit Operations in ¹⁷¹Yb⁺

The metastable ("m-type") qubit defined on the zero-field hyperfine clock states in the long-lived ²F^o_7/2 manifold in ¹⁷¹Yb⁺ gives a promising pathway to low cross-talk, high fidelity multi-qubit operations using the same ion species. We describe heralded state preparation, single qubit operations, and state measurement in the m-type qubit. Additionally, we put quantitative limits on the effect of direct illumination by ground state ("g-type") qubit state preparation and detection laser light on the m-type qubit coherence and operational frequency. We present our work toward coupling the m-type qubit to motion and coherent transfer between g-type and m-type qubits in ¹⁷¹Yb⁺.