Atomic ions confined in multi-electrode traps have been proposed as a basis
for scalable quantum information processing. This scheme involves transporting
ions between spatially distinct locations by use of time-varying electric
potentials combined with laser or microwave pulses for quantum logic in
specific locations. We report the development of a fast multi-channel arbitrary
waveform generator for applying the time-varying electric potentials used for
transport and for shaping quantum logic pulses. The generator is based on a
field-programmable gate array controlled ensemble of 16-bit digital-to-analog
converters with an update frequency of 50 MHz and an output range of ±10 V.
The update rate of the waveform generator is much faster than relevant motional
frequencies of the confined ions in our experiments, allowing diabatic control
of the ion motion. Numerous pre-loaded sets of time-varying voltages can be
selected with 40 ns latency conditioned on real-time signals. Here we describe
the device and demonstrate some of its uses in ion-based quantum information
experiments, including speed-up of ion transport and the shaping of laser and
microwave pulses
