The purpose of this REU project was to compensate for micromotion to reduce ion temperature and to trap and retain barium-ytterbium ion chains. Having cold ion chains allows us to implement quantum gates, which is a necessary component to any quantum computer. Micromotion is a constant issue that frequently needs to be compensated for because the electric fields within our trap are prone to dri...

Well-characterized solid-state laser materials are evaluated for performance in optical refrigeration as well as radiation-balanced laser systems. New figures-of-merit are developed and applied to ytterbium-doped materials. Superior performance is predicted for high-cross-section tungstate materials. Photothermal deflection experiments on samples of Yb3+-doped KGd(WO4)2 confirm anti-Stokes fluo...