Quantum logic gate with microtraps

Recent cooling and trapping techniques for atoms allows the fabrication of genuinely microscopic quantum wires and dots for individual particles. We d iscuss the physical features of a structure which can implement the control led-not operation in quantum logic. This consists of a network of tube-like microtraps and a laser that acts as a clock pulse. Our work discusses the influence of potential geometry, particle-particle interactions and quantum statistics. The physical features are illustrated by wave packet simulatio ns. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.