Quantum information processing (QIP) devices and quantum-assisted technologies can already be implemented in laboratories and will soon lead to a quantum revolution. Trapped ions are one of the most promising candidates for a scalable quantum computing platform, as they have demonstrated the highest performance in most key metrics.
I will present work with both trapped atomic and trapped molecular ions and present a roadmap to a future quantum computer exploiting the best of each of these systems.
In addition, I will present our efforts in the search for the laser-accessible nuclear isomeric transition in thorium-229, which has superb properties for future time-keeping and QIP applications. At the same time, it will allow for tests of fundamental physics.
Lastly, I will briefly introduce an experimental search effort for sterile neutrinos (HUNTER collaboration), which is enabled by the precise control that AMO physics offers for neutral atoms.
