Russian Researchers Achieve First Qubit Operations on Planar Ion Traps

Scientists working on Rosatom’s Quantum project have for the first time in Russia demonstrated cubit operations on planar ion traps. The achievement is expected to increase the computational power of quantum computers and bring them closer to industrial use.

In a conventional ion trap, charged atoms are confined by electromagnetic fields. In the planar version, control electrodes are fabricated on a flat chip. This architecture allows researchers to hold more than 100 qubits, integrate optical elements for readout, and create separate zones with tailored characteristics. In simple terms, the quantum processor gains additional “parking spaces” for ions together with improved control capabilities.

Independent demonstrations by two research groups

The result was independently reproduced by two teams. Specialists at the Physical Institute of RAS under Ilya Semerikov captured ytterbium-171 ions in a planar trap, transported them along the chip, and executed single-qubit operations. The Quantum Center group led by Kirill Lakhmansky performed a similar experiment with calcium ions, also demonstrating capture, transport, and single-qubit gates.

Rosatom considers mastery of planar-trap technology an important milestone on the path to industrial ion-trap quantum computers able to tackle real-world tasks. Nevertheless, a full-scale machine with 100 or more high-fidelity qubits still requires further progress from isolated operations to a scalable, precisely controlled system.

Russian researchers intend to continue developing the technology and join the international race in planar quantum systems, with the project targeting world-leading capabilities by 2030.