Radio frequency ion traps are instruments designed to trap clouds of many thousands of ionised atoms, a few ions at a time, or even a single ion. Under ideal conditions some traps can keep the same ion trapped for weeks. Typically, lasers are used to cool these atoms, and with advanced cooling techniques ions can be cooled all the way to the quantum ground state of the trap.

In this regime, the dynamical behaviour of the ion can be fully described only by the laws of quantum mechanics. As such, atomic ion traps have become an important tool for studying physics in the quantum regime. Ion traps are controllable and predictable quantum test beds for fundamental and applied concepts in quantum mechanics. For example, they are one of the technologies from which quantum computers and quantum simulators can be constructed, and are useful in various quantum metrology applications such as sensing very weak electric fields or for precision time keeping.

CSIR experts specialise in the quantum dynamics of trapped ions.  Their research focuses on the implementation of real time quantum feedback protocols for precision metrology applications.