Ion trap and quantum computing. Apparatus used to trap two beryllium ions, using a technique that may simplify information processing in quantum computers. The trapped ions swapped quantum units of energy as they were trapped about 40 micrometers apart above the square gold microchip at centre. The chip is surrounded by a copper enclosure and gold wire mesh to prevent build-up of static charge. This research was carried out at the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Image published in 2011.