Figure 1: Experimental schematics.
From: Onset of a quantum phase transition with a trapped ion quantum simulator
(a) Schematic of the three-layer linear radio frequency (Paul) trap, with the top and bottom layers carrying static potentials and the middle one carrying radio frequency. (b) Two Raman beams globally address the 171Yb+ ion chain, with their wave-vector difference (
) along the transverse (X) direction of motion, generating the Ising couplings through a spin-dependent force. The same beams generate an effective transverse magnetic field by driving resonant hyperfine transitions. A CCD image showing a string of nine ions (not in present experimental condition) is superimposed. A photomultiplier tube (PMT) is used to detect spin-dependent fluorescence from the ion crystal. (c) Outline of quantum simulation protocol. The spins are initially prepared in the ground state of −B∑iσiy, then the Hamiltonian 1 is turned on with starting field B0≫|J| followed by an adiabatic exponential ramping to the final value B, keeping the Ising couplings fixed. Finally the x-component of the spins are detected.
