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Image-charge detection of electrons on helium in an on-chip trapping device

Mikhail Belianchikov*, Natalia Morais, and Denis Konstantinov

  • *Contact author: m.belianchikov@oist.jp
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Phys. Rev. Applied 23, 054026 – Published 9 May, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.23.054026

Abstract

Electrons trapped on the surface of superfluid helium have been thought of as a useful resource for quantum computing. Such electrons show long coherence of their surface-bound (Rydberg) states combined with their easy electrostatic manipulation. Recent proposals have explored the possibility of coupling the spin state of an electron and the state of its quantized motion, with the promise of a highly scalable two-dimensional architecture for a quantum computer. However, despite recent progress in the detection of quantized lateral motion of electrons using a circuit-QED setup, manipulation of a small number of electrons and their quantum state detection remains a challenging problem. Here, we report on the detection of the Rydberg transition of electrons on superfluid helium in an on-chip microchannel device in which electrons are moved and trapped by a set of electrostatic gates. A highly sensitive image-charge detection system allows us to not only resolve the transition spectra of such electrons, but also perform the device characterization. The demonstrated sensitivity shows the feasibility of detecting the Rydberg transition of a single electron, which can open an alternate pathway for a nondestructive spin-state readout.

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. Applied 23, 054026– Published 9 May, 2025
  • Received 30 December 2024
  • Revised 21 March 2025
  • Accepted 21 April 2025
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