This paper discusses the experimental challenges in manipulating coherent quantum states of trapped atomic ions. The authors examine methods and limitations in generating entangled states of trapped ions, with a focus on quantum logic operations and quantum computation. They also explore various decoherence mechanisms that limit the ability to produce desired quantum states. The paper reviews recent theoretical and experimental work on coherent control of atomic, molecular, and optical quantum states, including topics such as atom interferometry, atom optics, and quantum computation. The authors describe the use of trapped ions in quantum logic and quantum computation, and discuss the generation of nonclassical states of motion and entangled states of trapped ions. They also consider the practical limits of applying coherent control methods to trapped ions for generating and analyzing nonclassical states of motion, implementing quantum logic and computation, and generating entangled states that improve signal-to-noise ratio in spectroscopy. The paper also discusses the importance of decoherence in quantum computation, where many ions and coherent operations may be required for quantum computation to be generally useful. The authors conclude that the paper provides a comprehensive overview of the experimental issues in coherent quantum-state manipulation of trapped atomic ions.This paper discusses the experimental challenges in manipulating coherent quantum states of trapped atomic ions. The authors examine methods and limitations in generating entangled states of trapped ions, with a focus on quantum logic operations and quantum computation. They also explore various decoherence mechanisms that limit the ability to produce desired quantum states. The paper reviews recent theoretical and experimental work on coherent control of atomic, molecular, and optical quantum states, including topics such as atom interferometry, atom optics, and quantum computation. The authors describe the use of trapped ions in quantum logic and quantum computation, and discuss the generation of nonclassical states of motion and entangled states of trapped ions. They also consider the practical limits of applying coherent control methods to trapped ions for generating and analyzing nonclassical states of motion, implementing quantum logic and computation, and generating entangled states that improve signal-to-noise ratio in spectroscopy. The paper also discusses the importance of decoherence in quantum computation, where many ions and coherent operations may be required for quantum computation to be generally useful. The authors conclude that the paper provides a comprehensive overview of the experimental issues in coherent quantum-state manipulation of trapped atomic ions.