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A key challenge in quantum computing is speeding up measurement and initialization. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a dispersive measurement method for superconducting qubits that simultaneously measures the qubit and returns the readout resonator to its initial state. The approach is based on universal analytical pulses and requires knowledge of the qubit and resonator parameters, but needs no direct optimization of the pulse shape, even when accounting for the nonlinearity of the system. Moreover, the method generalizes to measuring an arbitrary number of modes and states. For the qubit readout, we can drive the resonator to $\sim 10^2$ photons and back to $\sim 10^{-3}$ photons in less than $3 \kappa^{-1}$, while still achieving a $T_1$-limited assignment error below 1\%. We also present universal pulse shapes and experimental results for qutrit readout., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures

Efficient quantum memory is of paramount importance for long-distance quantum communications, as well as for complex large-scale computing architectures. We investigate the capability of Er$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ crystal to serve as a quantum memory for the travelling microwave photons by employing techniques developed for dense optical ensembles. In our efforts to do so, we have performed high-resolution microwave spectroscopy of Er$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$, where we identified electronic spin as well as hyperfine transitions. Furthermore, we have explored spectral hole burning technique and studied the spin relaxation process at millikelvin temperatures, determined the main relaxation mechanisms, which lay the groundwork for further studies of the topic., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures

Code changes constitute one of the most important features of software evolution. Studying them can provide insights into the nature of software development and also lead to practical solutions - recommendations and automations of popular changes for developers. In our work, we developed a tool called PythonChangeMiner that allows to discover code change patterns in the histories of Python projects. We validated the tool and then employed it to discover patterns in the dataset of 120 projects from four different domains of software engineering. We manually categorized patterns that occur in more than one project from the standpoint of their structure and content, and compared different domains and patterns in that regard. We conducted a survey of the authors of the discovered changes: 82.9% of them said that they can give the change a name and 57.9% expressed their desire to have the changes automated, indicating the ability of the tool to discover valuable patterns. Finally, we interviewed 9 members of a popular integrated development environment (IDE) development team to estimate the feasibility of automating the discovered changes. It was revealed that independence from the context and high precision made a pattern a better candidate for automation. The patterns received mainly positive reviews and several were ranked as very likely for automation., Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures

Electromagnetically induced transparency allows for controllable change of absorption properties which can be exploited in a number of applications including optical quantum memory. In this paper, we present a study of the electromagnetically induced transparency in $^{167}$Er:$^6$LiYF$_4$ crystal at low magnetic fields and ultra-low temperatures. Experimental measurement scheme employs optical vector network analysis which provides high precision measurement of amplitude, phase and pulse delay. We found that sub-Kelvin temperatures are the necessary requirement for studying electromagnetically induced transparency in this crystal at low fields. A good agreement between theory and experiment is achieved taking into account the phonon bottleneck effect., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures

Er$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ crystal is a promising candidate with a great variety of its potential applications in quantum information processing and quantum communications ranging from optical/microwave quantum memories to circuit QED and microwave-to-optics frequency converters. Some of the above listed applications require ultra-low temperature environment, i.e., temperatures $T\lesssim0.1~$K. Most of the experiments with erbium doped crystals have been so far carried out at temperatures above 1.5~K. Therefore, only little information is known about Er$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ coherence properties at millikelvins. Here, we investigate optical decoherence of $^{167}$Er:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ crystal by performing 2- and 3-pulse echo experiments at millikelvin temperature range and at weak and moderate magnetic fields. We show that the deep freezing of the crystal results in an increase of optical coherence time by one order of magnitude compared to temperature of 1.5 Kelvin and magnetic field of $\sim$0.2~T, taken as a reference point. We further describe the detailed investigation of the decoherence mechanisms in this regime., Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, 1 table, 47 references

Recent progress in observing and manipulating mechanical oscillators at quantum regime provides new opportunities of studying fundamental physics, for example, to search for low energy signatures of quantum gravity. For example, it was recently proposed that such devices can be used to test quantum gravity effects, by detecting the change in the [x,p] commutation relation that could result from quantum gravity corrections. We show that such a correction results in a dependence of a resonant frequency of a mechanical oscillator on its amplitude, which is known as amplitude-frequency effect. By implementing this new method we measure amplitude-frequency effect for 0.3 kg ultra high-Q sapphire split-bar mechanical resonator and for 10 mg quartz bulk acoustic wave resonator. Our experiments with sapphire resonator have established the upper limit on quantum gravity correction constant for $\beta_0<5 \times10^6$ which is a factor of 6 better than previously detected. The reasonable estimates of $\beta_0$ from experiments with quartz resonators yield an even more stringent limit of $4\times10^4$. The data sets of 1936 measurement of physical pendulum period by Atkinson results in significantly stronger limitations on $\beta_0 \ll 1$. Yet, due to the lack of proper pendulum frequency stability measurement in these experiments, the exact upper bound on $\beta_0$ can not be reliably established. Moreover, pendulum based systems only allow testing a specific form of the modified commutator that depends on the mean value of momentum. The electro-mechanical oscillators to the contrary enable testing of any form of generalized uncertainty principle directly due to much higher stability and a higher degree of control., Comment: 3 figures

We present optical vector network analysis (OVNA) of an isotopically purified $^{166}$Er$^{3+}$:$^7$LiYF$_4$ crystal. The OVNA method is based on generation and detection of modulated optical sideband by using a radio-frequency vector network analyzer. This technique is widely used in the field of microwave photonics for the characterization of optical responses of optical devices such as filters and high-Q resonators. However, dense solid-state atomic ensembles induce a large phase shift on one of the optical sidebands which results in the appearance of extra features on the measured transmission response. We present a simple theoretical model which accurately describes the observed spectra and helps to reconstruct the absorption profile of a solid-state atomic ensemble as well as corresponding change of the refractive index in the vicinity of atomic resonances., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures

The silicon-vacancy center in diamond offers attractive opportunities in quantum photonics due to its favorable optical properties and optically addressable electronic spin. Here, we combine both to achieve all-optical coherent control of its spin states. We utilize this method to explore spin dephasing effects in an impurity-rich sample beyond the limit of phonon-induced decoherence: Employing Ramsey and Hahn-echo techniques at 12mK base temperature we identify resonant coupling to a substitutional nitrogen spin bath as the limiting decoherence source for the electron spin.

We explore spin dynamics of isotopically purified $^{166}$Er:$^{7}$LiYF$_4$ crystal below 1 Kelvin and at weak magnetic fields $<$0.3 T. Crystals grown in our lab demonstrate record-narrow inhomogeneous optical broadening down to 16~MHz. Solid state atomic ensembles with such narrow linewidths are very attractive for the implementation of off-resonant Raman quantum memory and for the interfacing of superconducting quantum circuits and telecom C-band optical photons. Both applications require low magnetic field of $\sim10$ mT. However, at conventional experimental temperatures $T>1.5$ K and time scales of $\mu$s, spin coherence of Er:LYF crystal appears only at magnetic fields above 1 Tesla. In the present work, we demonstrate spin coherence of Er:LYF crystals at the field range compatible with ZEFOZ transitions of $^{167}$Er isotope and with working conditions of superconducting quantum circuits., Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures

Electromagnetic properties of single crystal terbium gallium garnet (TGG) are characterised from room down to millikelvin temperatures using the whispering gallery mode method. Microwave spectroscopy is performed at low powers equivalent to a few photons in energy and conducted as functions of the magnetic field and temperature. A phase transition is detected close to the temperature of 3.5 K. This is observed for multiple whispering gallery modes causing an abrupt negative frequency shift and a change in transmission due to extra losses in the new phase caused by a change in complex magnetic susceptibility., Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures

Low-loss crystals with defects due to paramagnetic or rare earth impurity ions is a major area of investigation for quantum hybrid systems at both optical and microwave frequencies. In this work we examine the single crystal yttrium aluminium perovskite, YAlO$_3$ using the Whispering Gallery Mode Technique. Multiple resonant microwave modes were measured from room temperature to 20 mK allowing precise characterization of the permittivity tensor at microwave frequencies. We show that it is biaxial and characterize the tensor as a function of temperature with estimated uncertainties below 0.26%. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy was also performed at 20 mK, with new transitions identified with Zero-Field splittings of 16.72 and 9.92 GHz. Spin-photon couplings of order 4.2 and 8.4 MHz were observed for residual levels of concentration, which are stronger than the photon cavity linewidths of 116 kHz but the same order of the linewidths of the discovered spin transitions.

We present a new YAuSi Liquid Metal Alloy Ion Source (LMAIS), generating focused ion beams of yttrium ions, and its prospective applications for nanofabrication, sample preparation, lithographic and implantation processes. Working parameters of the AuSiY LMAIS are similar to other gold-silicon based LMAIS. We found anomalously high emission current of triple charged Yttrium ions. Influence of Yttrium implantation on optical qualities of the implanted ion-ensembles is shown in luminescence of co-implanted Erbium ions.

Although time is one of the fundamental notions in physics, it does not have a unique description. In quantum theory time is a parameter ordering the succession of the probability amplitudes of a quantum system, while according to relativity theory each system experiences in general a different proper time, depending on the system's world line, due to time to time dilation. It is therefore of fundamental interest to test the notion of time in the regime where both quantum and relativistic effects play a role, for example, when different amplitudes of a single quantum clock experience different magnitudes of time dilation. Here we propose a realization of such an experiment with a single electron in a Penning trap. The clock can be implemented in the electronic spin precession and its time dilation then depends on the radial (cyclotron) state of the electron. We show that coherent manipulation and detection of the electron can be achieved already with present day technology. A single electron in a Penning trap is a technologically ready platform where the notion of time can be probed in a hitherto untested regime, where it requires a relativistic as well as quantum description., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures

Doping of substrates at desired locations is a key technology for spin-based quantum memory devices. Focused ion beam implantation is well-suited for this task due to its high spacial resolution. In this work, we investigate ion-beam implanted erbium ensembles in Yttrium Orthosilicate crystals by means of confocal photoluminescence spectroscopy. The sample temperature and the post-implantation annealing step strongly reverberate in the properties of the implanted ions. We find that hot implantation leads to a higher activation rate of the ions. At high enough fluences, the relation between the fluence and final concentration of ions becomes non-linear. Two models are developed explaining the observed behaviour.

A protocol is discussed which allows one to realize a transducer for single photons between the optical and the microwave frequency range. The transducer is a spin ensemble, where the individual emitters possess both an optical and a magnetic-dipole transition. Reversible frequency conversion is realized by combining optical photon storage, by means of EIT, with the controlled switching of the coupling between the magnetic-dipole transition and a superconducting qubit, which is realized by means of a microwave cavity. The efficiency is quantified by the global fidelity for transferring coherently a qubit excitation between a single optical photon and the superconducting qubit. We test various strategies and show that the total efficiency is essentially limited by the optical quantum memory: It can exceed 80% for ensembles of NV centers and approaches 99% for cold atomic ensembles, assuming state-of-the-art experimental parameters. This protocol allows one to bridge the gap between the optical and the microwave regime so to efficiently combine superconducting and optical components in quantum networks.

Interfacing photonic and solid-state qubits within a hybrid quantum architecture offers a promising route towards large scale distributed quantum computing. In that respect, hybrid quantum systems combining circuit QED with ions doped into solids are an attractive platform. There, the ions serve as coherent memory elements and reversible conversion elements of microwave to optical qubits. Among many possible spin-doped solids, erbium ions offer the unique opportunity of a coherent conversion of microwave photons into the telecom C-band at $1.54\,\mu$m employed for long distance communication. In our work, we perform a time-resolved electron spin resonance study of an Er$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ spin ensemble at milli-Kelvin temperatures and demonstrate multimode storage and retrieval of up to 16 coherent microwave pulses. The memory efficiency is measured to be 10$^{-4}$ at the coherence time of $T_2=5.6\,\mu$s.

This work demonstrates strong coupling regime between an Erbium ion spin ensemble and microwave Hybrid Cavity-Whispering Gallery Modes in a Yttrium Aluminium Garnet dielectric crystal. Coupling strengths of $220$~MHz and mode quality factors in excess of $10^6$ are demonstrated. Moreover, the magnetic response of high-Q modes demonstrates behaviour which is unusual for paramagnetic systems. This behaviour includes hysteresis and memory effects. Such qualitative change of the system's magnetic field response is interpreted as a phase transition of Rare Earth ion impurities. This phenomenon is similar to the phenomenon of dilute ferromagnetism in semiconductors. The clear temperature dependence of the phenomenon is demonstrated.

Interaction of Whispering Gallery Modes (WGM) with dilute spin ensembles in solids is an interesting paradigm of Hybrid Quantum Systems potentially beneficial for Quantum Signal Processing applications. In the present work, WGM spectroscopy of Rare-Earth doped YSO crystal reveals the existence of Iron Group Ion (IGI) co-dopings with concentration levels of order 100 ppb. The IGI spin ensembles demonstrate large Zero Field Splittings at 14.7GHz, 18.4GHz and 25.4GHz, considerable anisotropy of the \textrm{g}-tensors, as well as two inequivalent lattice sites. Strong coupling regimes between an ensemble of IGI spins and WGM photons have been demonstrated at $18.4$ GHz and near zero field. This approach together with useful optical properties of these ions opens a new avenue for 'spins-in-solids' Quantum Electrodynamics.

Superconducting microwave resonators are reliable circuits widely used for detection and as test devices for material research. A reliable determination of their external and internal quality factors is crucial for many modern applications, which either require fast measurements or operate in the single photon regime with small signal to noise ratios. Here, we use the circle fit technique with diameter correction and provide a step by step guide for implementing an algorithm for robust fitting and calibration of complex resonator scattering data in the presence of noise. The speedup and robustness of the analysis are achieved by employing an algebraic rather than an iterative fit technique for the resonance circle., Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures

We report on hybrid circuit QED experiments with focused ion beam implanted Er$^{3+}$ ions in Y$_2$SiO$_5$ coupled to an array of superconducting lumped element microwave resonators. The Y$_2$SiO$_5$ crystal is divided into several areas with distinct erbium doping concentrations, each coupled to a separate resonator. The coupling strength is varied from 5 MHz to 18.7 MHz, while the linewidth ranges between 50 MHz and 130 MHz. We confirm the paramagnetic properties of the implanted spin ensemble by evaluating the temperature dependence of the coupling. The efficiency of the implantation process is analyzed and the results are compared to a bulk doped Er:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ sample. We demonstrate the successful integration of these engineered erbium spin ensembles with superconducting circuits., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

We investigate thin films of conducting aluminium-oxide, also known as granular aluminium, as a material for superconducting high quality, high kinetic inductance circuits. The films are deposited by an optimised reactive DC magnetron sputter process and characterised using microwave measurement techniques at milli-Kelvin temperatures. We show that, by precise control of the reactive sputter conditions, a high room temperature sheet resistance and therefore high kinetic inductance at low temperatures can be obtained. For a coplanar waveguide resonator with 1.5\,k$\Omega$ sheet resistance and a kinetic inductance fraction close to unity, we measure a quality factor in the order of 700\,000 at 20\,mK. Furthermore, we observe a sheet resistance reduction by gentle heat treatment in air. This behaviour is exploited to study the kinetic inductance change using the microwave response of a coplanar wave guide resonator. We find the correlation between the kinetic inductance and the sheet resistance to be in good agreement with theoretical expectations., Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures

Erbium doped low symmetry Y$_2$SiO$_5$ crystals attract a lot of attention in perspective of quantum information applications. However, only doping of the samples during growth is available up to now, which yields a quite homogeneous doping density. In the present work, we deposit Er$^{3+}$-ions by the focused ion beam technique at Yttrium sites with several fluences in one sample. With a photoluminescence study of these locally doped Er$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ crystals, we are able to evaluate the efficiency of the implantation process and develop it for the highest efficiency possible. We observe the dependence of the ion activation after the post-implantation annealing on the fluence value.

We present cavity QED experiments with an Er:YSO crystal magnetically coupled to a 3D cylindrical sapphire loaded copper resonator. Such waveguide cavities are promising for the realization of a superconducting quantum processor. Here, we demonstrate the coherent integration of a rare-earth spin ensemble with the 3D architecture. The collective coupling strength of the Er$^{3+}$ spins to the 3D cavity is 21 MHz. The cylindrical sapphire loaded resonator allowed us to explore the anisotropic collective coupling between the rare-earth doped crystal and the cavity. This work shows the potential of spin doped solids in 3D quantum circuits for application as microwave quantum memories as well as for prospective microwave to optical interfaces., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures

Quantum memories are integral parts of both quantum computers and quantum communication networks. Naturally, such a memory is embedded into a hybrid quantum architecture, which has to meet the requirements of fast gates, long coherence times and long distance communication. Erbium doped crystals are well suited as a microwave quantum memory for superconducting circuits with additional access to the optical telecom C-band around 1.55 {\mu}m. Here, we report on circuit QED experiments with an Er3+:YAlO3 crystal and demonstrate strong coupling to a superconducting lumped element resonator. The low magnetic anisotropy of the host crystal allows for attaining the strong coupling regime at relatively low magnetic fields, which are compatible with superconducting circuits. In addition, Ce3+ impurities were detected in the crystal, which showed strong coupling as well.

This paper presents the development of the architecture of Distributed Network Intrusion Detection System.

Interfacing photonic and solid-state qubits within a hybrid quantum architecture offers a promising route towards large scale distributed quantum computing. Ideal candidates for coherent qubit interconversion are optically active spins magnetically coupled to a superconducting resonator. We report on a cavity QED experiment with magnetically anisotropic Er3+:Y2SiO5 crystals and demonstrate strong coupling of rare-earth spins to a lumped element resonator. In addition, the electron spin resonance and relaxation dynamics of the erbium spins are detected via direct microwave absorption, without aid of a cavity.

We perform high-resolution real-time read-out of the motion of a single trapped and laser-cooled Ba ion. By using an interferometric setup we demonstrate shot-noise limited measurement of thermal oscillations with resolution of 4 times the standard quantum limit. We apply the real-time monitoring for phase control of the ion motion through a feedback loop, suppressing the photon recoil-induced phase diffusion. Due to the spectral narrowing in phase-locked mode, the coherent ion oscillation is measured with resolution of about 0.3 times the standard quantum limit.

A quantum coherent interface between optical and microwave photons can be used as a basic building block within a future quantum information network. The interface is envisioned as an ensemble of rare-earth ions coupled to a superconducting resonator, allowing for coherent transfer between optical and microwave photons. Towards this end, we have realized a hybrid device coupling a Er$^{3+}$ doped Y$_2$SiO$_5$ crystal in a superconducting coplanar waveguide cavity. We observe a collective spin coupling of 4 MHz and a spin linewdith of down to 75 MHz., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

In the microscopic world, multipartite entanglement has been achieved with various types of nanometer sized two-level systems such as trapped ions, atoms and photons. On the macroscopic scale ranging from micrometers to millimeters, recent experiments have demonstrated bipartite and tripartite entanglement for electronic quantum circuits with superconducting Josephson junctions. It remains challenging to bridge these largely different length scales by constructing hybrid quantum systems. Doing this may allow for manipulating the entanglement of individual microscopic objects separated by macroscopically large distances in a quantum circuit. Here we report on the experimental demonstration of induced coherent interaction between two intrinsic two-level states (TLSs) formed by atomic-scale defects in a solid via a superconducting phase qubit. The tunable superconducting circuit serves as a shuttle communicating quantum information between the two microscopic TLSs. We present a detailed comparison between experiment and theory and find excellent agreement over a wide range of parameters. We then use the theoretical model to study the creation and movement of entanglement between the three components of the quantum system., Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures

Interfacing superconducting quantum processors, working in the GHz frequency range, with optical quantum networks and atomic qubits is a challenging task for the implementation of distributed quantum information processing as well as for quantum communication. Using spin ensembles of rare earth ions provide an excellent opportunity to bridge microwave and optical domains at the quantum level. In this letter, we demonstrate magnetic coupling of Er$^{3+}$ spins doped in Y$_{2}$SiO$_{5}$ crystal to a high-Q coplanar superconducting resonator., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures

We use high-precision spectroscopy and detailed theoretical modelling to determine the form of the coupling between a superconducting phase qubit and a two-level defect. Fitting the experimental data with our theoretical model allows us to determine all relevant system parameters. A strong qubit-defect coupling is observed, with a nearly vanishing longitudinal component. Using these estimates, we quantitatively compare several existing theoretical models for the microscopic origin of two-level defects., Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures. Supplementary material, lclimits_supp.pdf

We propose to couple a trapped single electron to superconducting structures located at a variable distance from the electron. The electron is captured in a cryogenic Penning trap using electric fields and a static magnetic field in the Tesla range. Measurements on the electron will allow investigating the properties of the superconductor such as vortex structure, damping and decoherence. We propose to couple a superconducting microwave resonator to the electron in order to realize a circuit QED-like experiment, as well as to couple superconducting Josephson junctions or superconducting quantum interferometers (SQUIDs) to the electron. The electron may also be coupled to a vortex which is situated in a double well potential, realized by nearby pinning centers in the superconductor, acting as a quantum mechanical two level system that can be controlled by a transport current tilting the double well potential. When the vortex is trapped in the interferometer arms of a SQUID, this would allow its detection both by the SQUID and by the electron., Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures

We demonstrate a new method to directly manipulate the state of individual two-level systems (TLS) in phase qubits. It allows one to characterize the coherence properties of TLS using standard microwave pulse sequences, while the qubit is used only for state readout. We apply this method to measure the temperature dependence of TLS coherence for the first time. The energy relaxation time $T_1$ is found to decrease quadratically with temperature for the two TLS studied in this work, while their dephasing time measured in Ramsey and spin-echo experiments is found to be $T_1$ limited at all temperatures., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures

We report on experimental multi-photon spectroscopy of a hybrid quantum system consisting of a superconducting phase qubit coherently coupled to an intrinsic two-level defect. We directly probe hybridized states of the combined qubit-defect system in the strongly interacting regime, where both the qubit-defect coupling and the driving cannot be considered as weak perturbations. This regime is described by a theoretical model which incorporates anharmonic corrections, multi-photon processes and decoherence. We present a detailed comparison between experiment and theory and find excellent agreement over a wide range of parameters., Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures

Superconducting qubits often show signatures of coherent coupling to microscopic two-level fluctuators (TLFs), which manifest themselves as avoided level crossings in spectroscopic data. In this work we study a phase qubit, in which we induce Rabi oscillations by resonant microwave driving. When the qubit is tuned close to the resonance with an individual TLF and the Rabi driving is strong enough (Rabi frequency of order of the qubit-TLF coupling), interesting 4-level dynamics are observed. The experimental data shows a clear asymmetry between biasing the qubit above or below the fluctuator's level-splitting. Theoretical analysis indicates that this asymmetry is due to an effective coupling of the TLF to the external microwave field induced by the higher qubit levels., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures

We discuss quantum information processing with trapped electrons. After recalling the operation principle of planar Penning traps we sketch the experimental conditions to load, cool and detect single electrons. Here we present a detailed investigation of a scalable scheme including feasibility studies and the analysis of all important elements, relevant for the experimental stage. On the theoretical side, we discuss different methods to couple electron qubits. We estimate the relevant qubit coherence times and draw implications for the experimental setting. A critical assessment of quantum information processing with trapped electrons is concluding the article., Comment: 18 pages, 6 figure. Submitted to Quantum Information and Computation

We present scanning near-field extinction spectra of single molecules embedded in a solid matrix. By varying the molecule-tip separation, we modify the line shape of the spectra, demonstrating the coherent nature of the interaction between the incident laser light and the excited state of the molecule. We compare the measured data with the outcome of numerical calculations and find a very good agreement., Comment: 3 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Optics Letters

We present an experiment where a single molecule strongly affects the amplitude and phase of a laser field emerging from a subwavelength aperture. We achieve a visibility of -6% in direct and +10% in cross-polarized detection schemes. Our analysis shows that a close to full extinction should be possible using near-field excitation., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, submitted to PRL

Based on a real-time measurement of the motion of a single ion in a Paul trap, we demonstrate its electro-mechanical cooling below the Doppler limit by homodyne feedback control (cold damping). The feedback cooling results are well described by a model based on a quantum mechanical Master Equation., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures

An excited-state atom whose emitted light is back-reflected by a distant mirror can experience trapping forces, because the presence of the mirror modifies both the electromagnetic vacuum field and the atom's own radiation reaction field. We demonstrate this mechanical action using a single trapped barium ion. We observe the trapping conditions to be notably altered when the distant mirror is shifted by an optical wavelength. The well-localised barium ion enables the spatial dependence of the forces to be measured explicitly. The experiment has implications for quantum information processing and may be regarded as the most elementary optical tweezers., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, published version

A distant mirror leads to a vacuum-induced level shift in a laser-excited atom. This effect has been measured with a single mirror 25 cm away from a single, trapped barium ion. This dispersive action is the counterpart to the mirror's dissipative effect, which has been shown earlier to effect a change in the ion's spontaneous decay [J. Eschner et al., Nature 413, 495-498 (2001)]. The experimental data are well described by 8-level optical Bloch equations which are amended to take into account the presence of the mirror according to the model in [U. Dorner and P. Zoller, Phys. Rev. A 66, 023816 (2002)]. Observed deviations from simple dispersive behavior are attributed to multi-level effects., Comment: version accepted by PRL