Helped establish trapped-ion quantum computing through laser cooling, a controlled quantum logic gate and deterministic entanglement, connecting precision measurement with experimental quantum information.
Physical Review LettersPhysical Review LettersNISTWineland is included for experiments that showed quantum information could be prepared, manipulated and shared in controlled atomic systems. The 1995 gate experiment demonstrated two quantum bits encoded in one trapped atom, while the 1998 work produced entanglement between two ions on demand. These are distinct steps toward scalable processing, not merely demonstrations of unusual quantum behavior. His work also connects computing to the precision-control techniques used in atomic clocks. The contributions are attributed to their experimental teams rather than to Wineland alone.
NISTPhysical Review LettersPhysical Review LettersWhy do ion experiments also depend on counting light?
An ion experiment needs a dependable way to turn faint optical signals into a measurement record. David J. Wineland is among the authors of a 2017 paper on ultraviolet-sensitive superconducting nanowire detectors for integration with an ion trap. The work connects trapped-ion research with photon detection. [1]
The paper reports detector measurements and explores integration with planar ion-trap structures. It offers a useful historical route into the engineering around an ion. Its publication date remains 17 April 2017; this is newly curated context, rather than newly published research. [1]
NIST’s broader detector explanation helps connect that older work to today’s manufacturing questions. The shared mechanism does not make different devices interchangeable: the 2017 results belong to those devices and cannot be reassigned to a current manufacturer. Nor does this historical paper establish Wineland’s present affiliation. [1][2]
Keep asking: Which detector result belongs to this experiment, and which requirements belong to the wider system?
Sources for this question
- UV-sensitive superconducting nanowire single photon detectors for integration in an ion trap — NIST / Optics Express.
Exact six-author historical record, ultraviolet detector results and ion-trap integration work.
Paper published 17 April 2017. Checked 2026-10-11. - Superconductive Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors — NIST.
Photon-detection mechanism and broader context; not a fresh result by Wineland or another manufacturer.
Institutional technology reference; checked 11 October 2026. Checked 2026-10-11.
The work behind the recognition
Work, in context- 1995
A controlled quantum logic gate
Wineland co-authored the NIST experiment with Christopher Monroe, D. M. Meekhof, B. E. King and W. M. Itano. It demonstrated a controlled-NOT gate using internal and motional states of one trapped atom as two quantum bits. The paper identifies decoherence effects and discusses extension to additional qubits.
Co-author with Christopher Monroe, D. M. Meekhof, B. E. King and W. M. Itano; the gate was a team experiment.
Source-supported recordPhysical Review Letters - 1998
Entanglement produced on demand
Wineland and the NIST team reported deterministic preparation of entangled internal states of two trapped ions. Producing those states without selecting only favorable outcomes established a different capability from the earlier single-atom gate and addressed a requirement for larger quantum computations.
Co-author of the NIST experimental team’s paper; entanglement preparation was a team result.
Source-supported recordPhysical Review Letters - 2012
Recognition for controlling individual quantum systems
Wineland shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Serge Haroche for experimental methods that allow individual quantum systems to be measured and manipulated. NIST’s account connects the recognition to laser-cooled ions, quantum-computing operations and precision atomic clocks. The award recognizes experimental methods rather than a completed general-purpose quantum computer.
Co-recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics with Serge Haroche.
Source-supported recordNIST
Keep in perspective
NIST is identified as the institution of the foundational research, not as a claimed current employment. Current appointment and work base were not established from a directly accessible institutional profile in this review.
The evidence map
Both views link each contribution to its sources. Choose a contribution on the map or read them all in the list.
A controlled quantum logic gate
Demonstration of a Fundamental Quantum Logic Gate
Supports: Authors, date, single trapped atom, internal and motional qubits, controlled-NOT gate and decoherence discussion.
Published 18 Dec 1995 · Checked 19 Sept 2026Credit & limits: Co-author with Christopher Monroe, D. M. Meekhof, B. E. King and W. M. Itano; the gate was a team experiment.
Read the full contribution| Contribution | Evidence & what it supports | Credit & limits |
|---|---|---|
| A controlled quantum logic gate1995 | Primary paperDemonstration of a Fundamental Quantum Logic Gate Authors, date, single trapped atom, internal and motional qubits, controlled-NOT gate and decoherence discussion. Published 18 Dec 1995 · Checked 19 Sept 2026 | Co-author with Christopher Monroe, D. M. Meekhof, B. E. King and W. M. Itano; the gate was a team experiment. |
| Entanglement produced on demand1998 | Primary paperDeterministic Entanglement of Two Trapped Ions Wineland authorship and on-demand entanglement of two ions without selection. Published 26 Oct 1998 · Checked 19 Sept 2026 | Co-author of the NIST experimental team’s paper; entanglement preparation was a team result. |
| Recognition for controlling individual quantum systems2012 | Institutional recordNIST's David J. Wineland Wins 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics Identity, 2012 Nobel Prize, trapped-ion research and the relationship between laser cooling, computing and clocks. Published 9 Oct 2012 · Checked 19 Sept 2026 | Co-recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics with Serge Haroche. |
Follow the evidence
3 sourcesPrimary papers, institutional records and attributed announcements. Each source supports the claims linked above.
- Physical Review LettersPrimary paper
Demonstration of a Fundamental Quantum Logic Gate
Authors, date, single trapped atom, internal and motional qubits, controlled-NOT gate and decoherence discussion.
Published 18 Dec 1995 · Checked 19 Sept 2026 - Physical Review LettersPrimary paper
Deterministic Entanglement of Two Trapped Ions
Wineland authorship and on-demand entanglement of two ions without selection.
Published 26 Oct 1998 · Checked 19 Sept 2026 - NISTInstitutional record
NIST's David J. Wineland Wins 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics
Identity, 2012 Nobel Prize, trapped-ion research and the relationship between laser cooling, computing and clocks.
Published 9 Oct 2012 · Checked 19 Sept 2026