Abstract

We discuss theoretically the realization of quantum gates and computers using quantum optical methods. Quantum bits are represented by atomic states, and quantum gates between the atoms are implemented by entangling the atoms via excitation of the collective (quantized) modes of the system. In particular we study (i) N atoms undergoing quantized motion in a linear ion trap and interacting with laser light [1] (for an experimental realization of a quantum gate with a single ion see Ref. [2]), and (ii) N atoms strongly coupled to a single quantized (optical) cavity mode and to individual lasers [3].

© 1996 Optical Society of America