M. S. Gulley

The Los Alamos Trapped Ion Quantum Computer Experiment

The development and theory of an experiment to investigate quantum computation with trapped calcium ions is described. The ion trap, laser and ion requirements are determined, and the parameters required for quantum logic operations as well as simple quantum factoring are described.

Proton-induced cross sections relevant to production of 225Ac and 223Ra in natural thorium targets below 200 MeV

Cross sections for (223,)(225)Ra, (225)Ac and (227)Th production by the proton bombardment of natural thorium targets were measured at proton energies below 200 MeV. Our measurements are in good agreement with previously published data and offer a complete excitation function for (223,)(225)Ra in the energy range above 90 MeV. Comparison of theoretical predictions with the experimental data shows reasonable-to-good agreement. Results indicate that accelerator-based production of (225)Ac and (223)Ra below 200 MeV is a viable production method.

Observation of power-law scaling for phase transitions in linear trapped ion crystals

We report an experimental confirmation of the power-law relationship between the critical anisotropy parameter and ion number for the linear-to-zigzag phase transition in an ionic crystal. Our experiment uses laser cooled calcium ions confined in a linear radio-frequency trap. Measurements for up to ten ions are in good agreement with theoretical and numeric predictions. Implications on an upper limit to the size of data registers in ion trap quantum computers are discussed.

Ac, La, and Ce radioimpurities in 225Ac produced in 40–200 MeV proton irradiations of thorium

Abstract Accelerator production of 225Ac addresses the global supply deficiency currently inhibiting clinical trials from establishing 225Acs therapeutic utility, provided that the accelerator product is of sufficient radionuclidic purity for patient use. Two proton activation experiments utilizing the stacked foil technique between 40 and 200 MeV were employed to study the likely co-formation of radionuclides expected to be especially challenging to separate from 225Ac. Foils were assayed by nondestructive γ-spectroscopy and by α-spectroscopy of chemically processed target material. Nuclear formation cross sections for the radionuclides 226Ac and 227Ac as well as lower lanthanide radioisotopes 139Ce, 141Ce, 143Ce, and 140La whose elemental ionic radii closely match that of actinium were measured and are reported. The predictions of the latest MCNP6 event generators are compared with measured data, as they permit estimation of the formation rates of other radionuclides whose decay emissions are not clearly discerned in the complex spectra collected from 232Th(p,x) fission product mixtures.

Cross sections from proton irradiation of thorium at 800 MeV

Nuclear formation cross sections are reported for 65 nuclides produced from 800-MeV proton irradiation of thorium foils. These data are useful as benchmarks for computational predictions in the ongoing process of theoretical code development and also to the design of spallation-based radioisotope production currently being considered for multiple radiotherapeutic pharmaceutical agents. Measured data are compared with the predictions of three MCNP6 event generators and used to evaluate the potential for 800-MeV productions of radioisotopes of interest for medical radiotherapy. In only a few instances code predictions are discrepant from measured values by more than a factor of two, demonstrating satisfactory predictive power across a large mass range. Similarly, agreement between measurements presented here and those previously reported is good, lending credibility to predictions of target yields and radioimpurities for high-energy accelerator-produced radionuclides.

Dynamical stability and quantum chaos of ions in a linear trap

The realization of a paradigm chaotic system, namely, the harmonically driven oscillator, in the quantum domain using cold trapped ions driven by lasers is theoretically investigated. The simplest characteristics of regular and chaotic dynamics are calculated. The possibilities of experimental realization are discussed. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.

Trapped Ion Quantum Computer Research at Los Alamos

We briefly review the development and theory of an experiment to investigate quantum computation with trapped calcium ions. The ion trap, laser and ion requirements are determined, and the parameters required for simple quantum logic operations are described. (LAUR 98-314).

Inner-shell photodetachment from the K− ion

We have measured the relative cross section for photodetachment from the K− ion for the process K− + hν→ K+ + 2e− over the photon energy range 21– 24.5 eV. The structures in the measured cross section are associated with correlated processes involving the detachment or excitation of a 3p core electron, processes which are often accompanied by the excitation of one or more valence electrons. The most prominent feature in the cross section is a strong resonance arising from the excitation of a 3p electron from the core and a 4s valence electron. As in previous experiments on double excitation of valence electrons, electron correlation is seen to play an important role in the dynamics of negative ions.

Progress Towards Using a Calcium Ion Trap to Perform Quantum Logic Operations

We briefly review the development and theory of an experiment to investigate quantum computation with trapped calcium ions. The ion trap, laser and ion requirements are determined, and the parameters required for simple quantum logic operations are described.