Scaleable, microfabricated neutral atom and ion traps are currently being pursued by several leading international institutions, since it is a highly-relevant technological development for future atomic systems devices. QuantumFrontiers’ researchers have significantly contributed to the field by developing wafer-stack ion traps for ultra-high precision frequency metrology, neutral atom chip-scale traps for compact quantum sensors, and multi-layer surface-electrode ion traps with integrated microwave control for quantum simulation and information.

Thus far, isolated attempts have been made to integrate optical components, such as mirrors, waveguides and diffractive optics onto the chip trap. In QuantumFrontiers we have the unique opportunity to comprehensively and significantly advance the capabilities of chip traps by combining the expertise of our researchers in nanoengineering and quantum engineering in

• (a) chip-scale atom traps at LUH and PTB,
• (b) in optical nano-structures such as waveguides and diffractive optics at LZH and TUBS, and
• (c) in nano-LEDs and hybrid integration approaches at TUBS (see also RU B1) in one consortium.

This approach is complemented by a unique effort combining optical bonding technology employed for the LISA pathfinder mission with fibre technology to transform laboratory quantum sensors into field-usable devices. All facilities spread across different institutions will be bundled and coordinated for the first time in an inter-institutional “TrapFab” facility.