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Using trapped atomic ions we demonstrate a tailored and versatile effective spin-system suitable for quantum simulations and universal quantum computation. By simply applying microwave pulses, selected spins can be decoupled from the remaining system and thus can serve as a quantum memory, while simultaneously, other coupled spins perform conditional quantum dynamics. Also, microwave pulses can change the sign of spin-spin couplings, as well as their effective strength, even during the course of a quantum algorithm. Taking advantage of the simultaneous long-range coupling between three spins a coherent quantum Fourier transform -- an essential building block for many quantum algorithms -- is efficiently realized. This approach, which is based on microwave-driven trapped ions and is complementary to laser-based methods, opens a new route to overcoming technical and physical challenges in the quest for a quantum simulator and a quantum computer., Comment: Published version. 22 pages, 5 figures

The addressing of a particular qubit within a quantum register is a key prerequisite for scalable quantum computing. In general, executing a quantum gate with a single qubit, or a subset of qubits, affects the quantum states of all other qubits. This reduced fidelity of the whole quantum register could prevent the application of quantum error correction protocols and thus preclude scalability. We demonstrate addressing of individual qubits within a quantum byte (eight qubits) and measure the error induced in all non-addressed qubits (cross-talk) associated with the application of single-qubit gates. The quantum byte is implemented using microwave-driven hyperfine qubits of $^{171}$Yb$^+$ ions confined in a Paul trap augmented with a magnetic gradient field. The measured cross-talk is on the order of $10^{-5}$ and therefore below the threshold commonly agreed sufficient to efficiently realize fault-tolerant quantum computing. Hence, our results demonstrate how this threshold can be overcome with respect to cross-talk., Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures Version 2: Some parts of the text have been rephrased and provide more detail. One figure and additional references have been added. Version 2 of this preprint is similar to the published version

Dephasing -- phase randomization of a quantum superposition state -- is a major obstacle for the realization of high fidelity quantum logic operations. Here, we implement a two-qubit Controlled-NOT gate using dynamical decoupling (DD), despite the gate time being more than one order of magnitude longer than the intrinsic coherence time of the system. For realizing this universal conditional quantum gate, we have devised a concatenated DD sequence that ensures robustness against imperfections of DD pulses that otherwise may destroy quantum information or interfere with gate dynamics. We compare its performance with three other types of DD sequences. These experiments are carried out using a well-controlled prototype quantum system -- trapped atomic ions coupled by an effective spin-spin interaction. The scheme for protecting conditional quantum gates demonstrated here is applicable to other physical systems, such as nitrogen vacancy centers, solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, and circuit quantum electrodynamics., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. Replaced with published version (wording changed in some places, added references)

We report on the experimental investigation of an individual pseudomolecule using trapped ions with adjustable magnetically induced J-type coupling between spin states. Resonances of individual spins are well separated and are addressed with high fidelity. Quantum gates are carried out using microwave radiation in the presence of thermal excitation of the pseudomolecule's vibrations. Demonstrating Controlled-NOT gates between non-nearest neighbors serves as a proof-of-principle of a quantum bus employing a spin chain. Combining advantageous features of nuclear magnetic resonance experiments and trapped ions, respectively, opens up a new avenue towards scalable quantum information processing., Comment: replaced with published version, 6 pages, 4 figures