Year: 2023
Type: preprint
Abstract: Experimental quantum physics and computing platforms rely on sophisticated computer control and timing systems that must be deterministic. An exemplar is the sequence used to create a Bose-Einstein condensate at the University of Illinois, which involves 46,812 analog and digital transitions over 100 seconds with 20 ns timing precision and nanosecond timing drift. We present a control and sequencing platform, using industry-standard National Instruments hardware to generate the necessary digital and analog signals, that achieves this level of performance. The system uses a master 10 MHz reference clock that is conditioned to the Global Positioning Satellite constellation and leverages low-phase-noise clock distribution hardware for timing stability. A Python-based user front-end provides a flexible language to describe experimental procedures and easy-to-implement version control. A library of useful peripheral hardware that can be purchased as low-cost evaluation boards provides enhanced capabilities. We provide a GitHub repository containing example python sequences and libraries for peripheral devices as a resource for the community.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Kowalski, N., Fredman, N., Zirbel, J., DeMarco, B.
Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4388787604