Summer Research Placement 2008

Philippa Young

Designing an Analogue Low Pass Filter System for a Quantum Ion Trap.

Summary

This summer I have been working in the IQT group lead by Dr Winfried Hensinger. The group is working towards developing a quantum ion trap computer using Ytterbium ions.

My main task this summer has been to research, design and build a filter system for the ion trap. When an electric signal is supplied to the electrodes of an ion trap it is important to ensure that the signal is 'clean'; in other words, just the frequency you want to use is applied. Any frequency above this frequency should be removed from the signal before it reaches the trap.

In addition to this I have also worked on aligning the lasers which are used to ionise the Ytterbium, assisted with assembling the vacuum system and worked on the lab safety.