LLNL Researchers 3D‑Print Miniaturised Ion Traps, Advancing Quantum Computing

A millimetre‑scale quadrupole ion trap, fabricated entirely by ultrahigh‑resolution two‑photon polymerisation 3D printing, has been shown to confine calcium ions with trap frequencies and error rates rivaling the best conventional designs, and to execute a two‑qubit entangling gate with 98 % fidelity. The breakthrough, announced by a consortium of researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the University of California campuses of Berkeley, Riverside and Santa Barbara, demonstrates that fully three‑dimensional, high‑precision ion‑trap geometries can be produced rapidly—within 14 hours from scratch or 30 minutes when only the electrodes are printed—while maintaining coherence times and motional heating rates comparable to state‑of‑the‑art systems. Published in Nature, the work suggests that 3D printing could bridge the gap between the superior performance of traditional 3D traps and the scalability of planar architectures, potentially accelerating the development of large‑scale quantum‑computing hardware.

The discovery unfolding in laboratories across the globe represents more than just another incremental advance. Miniaturized ion traps show promise of 3D printing for quantum‑computing hardware From left: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Materials Science Division (MSD) researcher Juergen Biener, Materials Engineering Division (MED) staff engineer Abhinav Parakh, physicist Kristi Beck, physics postdoctoral researcher Sayan Patra, and MED staff engineer Xiaoxing Xia This achievement marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of scientific understanding. The research, conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, builds upon decades of foundational work in the field. This development is particularly significant because (photo: garry mcleod/llnl)

researchers at lawrence livermore national laboratory (llnl), the university of california (uc) berkeley, uc riverside and uc santa barbara have miniaturised quadrupole ion traps for the first time with 3d printing – a breakthrough in one of the most promising approaches to building a large‑scale quantum computer The advancement represents a convergence of multiple scientific disciplines, combining theoretical insights with practical engineering solutions.

The central breakthrough involves miniaturized ion traps show promise of 3d printing for quantum‑computing hardware from left: lawrence livermore national laboratory materials science division (msd) researcher juergen biener, materials engineering division (med) staff engineer abhinav parakh, physicist kristi beck, physics postdoctoral researcher sayan patra, and med staff engineer xiaoxing xia

The research methodology involved approach will help put llnl on the map for ion‑trap quantum computing hardware development and serve as a pot The team employed a multi-faceted approach, combining theoretical modeling with experimental validation.

The Research Story

The research team, led by Lawrence Livermore, represents a new generation of scientists bridging theoretical and applied research. The work exemplifies the power of collaborative science, bringing together expertise from multiple institutions. The findings have generated significant excitement within the scientific community, with researchers already exploring ways to build upon and extend the work.

The practical implications are far-reaching. Quadrupole ion traps have four electrode poles that create an oscillating electrical potential that traps ions by overriding their natural vibration, similar to how raising or lowering different ends of a playground parachute can keep a soccer ball on its surface Beyond immediate applications, this research opens new avenues for scientific inquiry and technological innovation. The methodology developed here could accelerate progress across multiple related fields, from materials science to computational physics.

Looking ahead, this research points toward transformative possibilities for technology and society. The applications extend beyond current technological boundaries, potentially revolutionizing how we approach complex scientific and engineering challenges. As research teams worldwide build upon these findings, we can expect accelerated progress toward breakthroughs that will define the next generation of scientific achievement.