NPL Microtrap Boosts UK Quantum Computing at NQCC

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) transferred a microfabricated ion trap to the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) in March 2025, following a mid-2023 collaboration and £250,000 Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) funding. This device, developed over two decades by NPL and fabrication specialists, now provides the NQCC with a platform to explore advanced trapped ion systems, including multi-qubit storage within single strontium atoms, and supports the UK’s aims to advance quantum technology capabilities through collaborative research and algorithm testing.

Ion Trap Technology and its Applications

The NPL-developed microtrap represents a mature research platform for advancements in trapped ion systems. Fabrication presented considerable engineering challenges, necessitating adaptations of standard microfabrication techniques to create a functional three-dimensional structure at the microscale. The device, comparable in size to a computer chip, is housed within a vacuum chamber and integrated with laser and mirror systems, facilitating precise control and manipulation of trapped ions.

A key area of investigation for the NQCC utilising this technology is the storage of multiple qubits within a single atom of strontium. Strontium possesses three distinct properties at the atomic level that can be leveraged to define a qubit, and researchers are exploring the potential to combine these approaches to enhance the efficiency of certain quantum algorithms. This research seeks to move beyond the limitations of single-qubit representation and explore more complex quantum states.

The ultimate ambition is to mature the ion trap into a fully functional quantum computation device. This would provide a valuable resource for academic and industrial partners to test and refine their quantum algorithms, contributing to the broader development of UK quantum technology capabilities. The successful technology transfer, facilitated by funding from the Government Office for Technology Transfer, exemplifies a collaborative approach to advancing quantum computing research and deployment.

The NPL Microtrap Design and Fabrication

The fabrication of the NPL microtrap demanded significant departures from conventional microfabrication processes. Standard techniques are optimised for two-dimensional microstructures; creating a functional three-dimensional structure at this scale presented considerable engineering challenges. Alastair Sinclair, Principal Scientist in NPL’s microtraps team, highlights the need for unconventional adaptations to achieve the required precision and complexity.

Following fabrication, NPL undertook the final packaging and integration of optical and electrical systems, establishing connectivity with the NQCC’s infrastructure. Rigorous testing was conducted at NPL prior to transfer, accompanied by two knowledge transfer secondments designed to comprehensively train the NQCC Ion Trap team. The completed system was subsequently transported to the NQCC, installed, and successfully tested, with the first ions demonstrably trapped on 28th March 2025.

Now operational, the ion trap serves as a platform for exploring advancements in trapped ion systems, with initial research focused on storing multiple qubits within a single atom of strontium. The selection of strontium is predicated on its unique atomic properties, offering three distinct avenues for qubit definition. The NQCC’s investigation centres on the potential to combine these approaches, aiming to enhance the efficiency of specific quantum algorithms and potentially unlock novel computational strategies for future quantum computing applications.

Transfer to the National Quantum Computing Centre

The transfer of the NPL microtrap to the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) represents a significant step in establishing a domestic capability in quantum computing. The device, the culmination of nearly two decades of development at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), provides a mature and well-characterised platform for investigating advancements in trapped ion quantum computing. Funding from the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) facilitated not only the physical transfer but also crucial knowledge exchange, including two secondments to train the NQCC’s Ion Trap team.

Prior to dispatch, the ion trap underwent rigorous testing at NPL and was fully integrated with its supporting optical and electrical systems. Successful trapping of ions at the NQCC on 28th March 2025 confirmed the functionality of the transferred system and the efficacy of the collaborative process. This established a functioning research environment capable of supporting exploration into more complex quantum phenomena and, ultimately, the development of practical quantum computing applications.

Current research at the NQCC utilising the NPL microtrap focuses on leveraging the unique properties of strontium atoms to enhance qubit storage. Strontium offers three distinct approaches to defining a qubit at the atomic level, and researchers are investigating the potential for combining these methods to improve the efficiency of quantum algorithms. This exploration seeks to move beyond the limitations of conventional qubit representation and unlock novel computational strategies for future quantum computing applications.

Initial Research and Strontium Qubit Exploration

The choice of strontium as the working atom for qubit storage is predicated on its unique atomic structure, offering three distinct pathways for qubit definition. These properties allow researchers to explore novel approaches to quantum information processing, potentially increasing qubit density and computational efficiency. The NQCC’s research aims to determine whether combining these approaches – leveraging multiple strontium-based qubit modalities within a single atom – can yield a more robust and efficient quantum system.

This investigation into multi-faceted qubit representation is not merely an academic exercise; it directly addresses key challenges in scaling quantum computers. Increasing the number of qubits while maintaining coherence and control is paramount to realising the potential of quantum computing applications. By maximising the information encoded within each atom, the NQCC seeks to reduce the physical footprint and complexity of future quantum processors.

Furthermore, the successful integration of the NPL microtrap with NQCC systems establishes a crucial platform for validating theoretical advancements in trapped ion quantum computing. The ability to physically test and refine algorithms on a well-characterised system is essential for bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical implementation, accelerating the development of viable quantum computing applications.

Collaboration and Future Quantum Capabilities

As the ion trap matures, it is anticipated to become a versatile quantum computation device, providing a crucial resource for both academic and industrial partners. This access will facilitate the testing and refinement of quantum algorithms, directly supporting the advancement of UK quantum technology capabilities and fostering innovation in diverse fields reliant on quantum computing applications. The collaborative framework between NPL and NQCC is designed to ensure that the device remains at the forefront of technological development, continually adapting to emerging challenges and opportunities.

The success of this partnership is predicated on the complementary expertise of both institutions. NPL’s deep understanding of the fundamental physics underpinning ion trap technology, coupled with its precision engineering capabilities, provides a robust foundation for innovation. NQCC’s focus on translating research into practical applications, alongside its access to a broader network of industry collaborators, will accelerate the development and deployment of novel quantum solutions. This synergy is expected to yield significant benefits for the UK’s burgeoning quantum ecosystem.

Dr Cameron Deans, Head of the Trapped-Ion Quantum Computing Team at the NQCC, emphasises that the NPL microtrap is not merely a piece of hardware, but a well-understood and mature research platform. This maturity is critical for accelerating research timelines and reducing the risks associated with adopting unproven technologies. The platform’s established performance characteristics allow researchers to focus on pushing the boundaries of quantum computation, rather than troubleshooting fundamental hardware issues.

The long-term vision extends beyond simply improving the performance of individual qubits. The NQCC is also exploring novel architectures for interconnecting multiple ion traps, creating scalable quantum processors capable of tackling increasingly complex problems. This requires overcoming significant engineering challenges, including maintaining coherence across large distances and developing efficient methods for transferring quantum information between traps. The NPL microtrap serves as an ideal testbed for these investigations, providing a stable and well-characterised environment for exploring new architectural paradigms.