Quantum synchronisation of trapped ions

The project will focus on theoretical investigation of quantum synchronisation of trapped ions. Quantum synchronisation of trapped ions has attracted intensive attention recently. However it has been shown that sophisticated laser engineering is required in order to achieve the designed phonon lasing as well as synchronisation of coupled ions. In this project, we will go beyond conventional free-space settings and explore synchronisation of trapped ions in an optical cavity.

We will first study how to establish phonon lasing in such cavity setting. The unique advantage here is that strong coupling among cavity photons, atomic spin and phonons can be realised straightforwardly. We will exploit these elements as well as photon leaking from the cavity in order to reach the phonon lasing. When multiple ions are trapped in a single cavity, we will investigate how to achieve and control the phonon synchronisation of the ions and how to characterise the synchronisation consequently. Moreover, the leaked photons carry valuable information on the photon-ion coupled system. We will explore methods to measure synchronisation of the ion phonons through the photons.