Abstract
We review the recent developments towards strong coupling of a single ion in cavity QED, in particular
by using optical fiber cavities. We also summarize our efforts along the same line being pursued at
Sussex University. The main issue in cavity QED with trapped ions has been the incompatibility of
dielectric mirrors in trapping potentials. As consequence the mirrors of a cavity have to be further
retracted from the ion, rendering the cavity volume rather big to sacrifice the ion-cavity coupling.
However, the emerging fiber cavity technology is expected to largely mitigate this difficulty and yet
achieve excellent resonator-quality. Achieving strong coupling with single trapped ions enables one to
build a highly reliable and controllable quantum interface between matter and light to be used in
quantum network. It could also open up new possibilities such as manipulating photonic quantum states
via the quantum computing toolbox of ion trap.
