Implementation of qutrit-based quantum information processing via state-dependent forces on trapped ions

Abstract

We propose a scheme to realize quantum logic and entanglement for qutrit systems via state-dependent forces on trapped ions. By exploiting the laser-ion coupling in the presence of Coulomb interactions, the set of quantum gate operations including the conditional phase shifts on two qutrits as well as arbitrary SU(3) rotations on single qutrits are derived for universal quantum manipulation. As an illustration, we demonstrate in detail how these gate resources could be used to generate the maximally entangled state of two qutrits. Besides being insensitive to vibrational heating of the trapped ions, the present scheme is also shown to be scalable through designing appropriately the pulse configuration of the laser-ion interactions.