Progress toward integration of a fiber-based micromirror cavity into a cryogenic surface electrode ion trap for a high-fidelity, high-entanglement-rate quantum networking node

Entanglement distributed over a quantum network has the potential to bolster quantum sensing capabilities, enhance communication security, and increase quantum computational power. One quantum networking framework employs ions as stationary memory qubits, leveraging their precise state preparation, long coherence times, and high-fidelity qubit control operations. The memory qubits are interconnected by emitting photonic “flying qubits” that can be converted to telecom wavelengths for low propagation loss in optical fiber. By trapping a ⁴⁰Ca⁺ ion in a fiber-based micromirror cavity integrated into a cryogenic surface electrode ion trap, our experiment aims to improve the collection efficiency of photons entangled with the ion memory qubits. I will discuss our progress towards designing and fabricating such a surface electrode ion trap with an integrated fiber cavity, including our plans for a flexure structure fabricated into the trap substrate to provide a high degree of mechanical stability for the cavity and passive alignment to the trapped ion.