We describe a multi-mode quantum memory for propagating microwave photons that combines a solid-state spin ensemble resonantly coupled to a frequency tunable single-mode microwave cavity. We first show that high efficiency mapping of the quantum state transported by a free photon to the spin ensemble is possible both for strong and weak coupling between the cavity mode and the spin ensemble. We also show that even in the weak coupling limit unit efficiency and faithful retrieval can be obtained through time reversal inhomogeneous dephasing based on spin echo techniques. This is possible provided that the cavity containing the spin ensemble and the transmission line are impedance matched. We finally discuss the prospects for an experimental implementation using a rare-earth doped crystal coupled to a superconducting resonator.We describe a multi-mode quantum memory for propagating microwave photons that combines a solid-state spin ensemble resonantly coupled to a frequency tunable single-mode microwave cavity. We first show that high efficiency mapping of the quantum state transported by a free photon to the spin ensemble is possible both for strong and weak coupling between the cavity mode and the spin ensemble. We also show that even in the weak coupling limit unit efficiency and faithful retrieval can be obtained through time reversal inhomogeneous dephasing based on spin echo techniques. This is possible provided that the cavity containing the spin ensemble and the transmission line are impedance matched. We finally discuss the prospects for an experimental implementation using a rare-earth doped crystal coupled to a superconducting resonator.

Jan 1, 201321 citations

Storage and retrieval of microwave fields at the single-photon level in a spin ensemble

Cécile Grèzes, Brian Julsgaard, Yuimaru Kubo +13 more

We report the storage of microwave pulses at the single-photon level in a spin-ensemble memory consisting of ${10}^{10}$ nitrogen-vacancy centers in a diamond crystal coupled to a superconducting $LC$ resonator. The energy of the signal, retrieved $100\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ later by spin-echo techniques, reaches $0.3%$ of the energy absorbed by the spins. This $0.3%$ storage efficiency is quantitatively accounted for by simulations. This figure of merit is sufficient to envision first implementations of a quantum memory for superconducting qubits.We report the storage of microwave pulses at the single-photon level in a spin-ensemble memory consisting of ${10}^{10}$ nitrogen-vacancy centers in a diamond crystal coupled to a superconducting $LC$ resonator. The energy of the signal, retrieved $100\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ later by spin-echo techniques, reaches $0.3%$ of the energy absorbed by the spins. This $0.3%$ storage efficiency is quantitatively accounted for by simulations. This figure of merit is sufficient to envision first implementations of a quantum memory for superconducting qubits.

arXiv:1504.02220Physical Review AAug 7, 201562 citations

Towards a spin-ensemble quantum memory for superconducting qubits

Cécile Grèzes, Yuimaru Kubo, Brian Julsgaard +15 more

This article reviews efforts to build a new type of quantum device, which combines an ensemble of electronic spins with long coherence times, and a small-scale superconducting quantum processor. The goal is to store over long times arbitrary qubit states in orthogonal collective modes of the spin-ensemble, and to retrieve them on-demand. We first present the protocol devised for such a multi-mode quantum memory. We then describe a series of experimental results using NV (as in nitrogen vacancy) center spins in diamond, which demonstrate its main building blocks: the transfer of arbitrary quantum states from a qubit into the spin ensemble, and the multi-mode retrieval of classical microwave pulses down to the single-photon level with a Hahn-echo like sequence. A reset of the spin memory is implemented in-between two successive sequences using optical repumping of the spins.This article reviews efforts to build a new type of quantum device, which combines an ensemble of electronic spins with long coherence times, and a small-scale superconducting quantum processor. The goal is to store over long times arbitrary qubit states in orthogonal collective modes of the spin-ensemble, and to retrieve them on-demand. We first present the protocol devised for such a multi-mode quantum memory. We then describe a series of experimental results using NV (as in nitrogen vacancy) center spins in diamond, which demonstrate its main building blocks: the transfer of arbitrary quantum states from a qubit into the spin ensemble, and the multi-mode retrieval of classical microwave pulses down to the single-photon level with a Hahn-echo like sequence. A reset of the spin memory is implemented in-between two successive sequences using optical repumping of the spins.

arXiv:1510.06565Comptes Rendus PhysiqueJul 27, 201648 citations

Multi-mode storage and retrieval of microwave fields in a spin ensemble

Cécile Grèzes, Brian Julsgaard, Yuimaru Kubo +13 more

A quantum memory at microwave frequencies, able to store the state of multiple superconducting qubits for long times, is a key element for quantum information processing. Electronic and nuclear spins are natural candidates for the storage medium as their coherence time can be well above one second. Benefiting from these long coherence times requires to apply the refocusing techniques used in magnetic resonance, a major challenge in the context of hybrid quantum circuits. Here we report the first implementation of such a scheme, using ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond coupled to a superconducting resonator, in a setup compatible with superconducting qubit technology. We implement the active reset of the NV spins into their ground state by optical pumping and their refocusing by Hahn echo sequences. This enables the storage of multiple microwave pulses at the picoWatt level and their retrieval after up to $35 μ$ s, a three orders of magnitude improvement compared to previous experiments.A quantum memory at microwave frequencies, able to store the state of multiple superconducting qubits for long times, is a key element for quantum information processing. Electronic and nuclear spins are natural candidates for the storage medium as their coherence time can be well above one second. Benefiting from these long coherence times requires to apply the refocusing techniques used in magnetic resonance, a major challenge in the context of hybrid quantum circuits. Here we report the first implementation of such a scheme, using ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond coupled to a superconducting resonator, in a setup compatible with superconducting qubit technology. We implement the active reset of the NV spins into their ground state by optical pumping and their refocusing by Hahn echo sequences. This enables the storage of multiple microwave pulses at the picoWatt level and their retrieval after up to $35 μ$s, a three orders of magnitude improvement compared to previous experiments.

arXiv:1401.7939Jan 30, 201421 citations

Stark echo modulation for quantum memories

Andrea Arcangeli, Alban Ferrier, Philippe Goldner

Quantum memories for optical and microwave photons provide key functionalities in quantum processing and communications. Here we propose a protocol well adapted to solid-state ensemble-based memories coupled to cavities. It is called Stark echo modulation memory (SEMM) and allows large storage bandwidths and low noise. This is achieved in an echo-like sequence combined with phase shifts induced by small electric fields through the linear Stark effect. We investigated the protocol for rare-earth nuclear spins and found a high suppression of unwanted collective emissions that is compatible with single-photon-level operation. Broadband storage together with high fidelity for the Stark retrieval process is also demonstrated. SEMM could be used to store optical or microwave photons in ions and/or spins. This includes nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond and rare-earth-doped crystals, which are among the most promising solid-state quantum memories.Quantum memories for optical and microwave photons provide key functionalities in quantum processing and communications. Here we propose a protocol well adapted to solid-state ensemble-based memories coupled to cavities. It is called Stark echo modulation memory (SEMM) and allows large storage bandwidths and low noise. This is achieved in an echo-like sequence combined with phase shifts induced by small electric fields through the linear Stark effect. We investigated the protocol for rare-earth nuclear spins and found a high suppression of unwanted collective emissions that is compatible with single-photon-level operation. Broadband storage together with high fidelity for the Stark retrieval process is also demonstrated. SEMM could be used to store optical or microwave photons in ions and/or spins. This includes nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond and rare-earth-doped crystals, which are among the most promising solid-state quantum memories.

arXiv:1602.00441Physical Review AJun 2, 201628 citations

Broadband photonic quantum interface based on a cavity-protected rare-earth ensemble

Tian Zhong, Jonathan M. Kindem, Jake Rochman +1 more

Rare-earth ions doped in crystals are renowned for their excellent coherence properties and large inhomogeneous broadening, which make them ideal for quantum interfaces with broadband photons. These properties have made them one of the leading technologies in quantum optical memories and a promising candidate for optical-to-microwave conversion. To take advantage of the full bandwidth of the rare-earth ensemble, one must overcome the decoherence of a broadband collective excitation due to inhomogeneous broadening. To this end, techniques based on controllable rephasing, such as atomic frequency comb (AFC) or controlled reversible inhomogeneous broadening (CRIB) memories, have been developed with great success. Recently, an alternative method was proposed to suppress the decoherence of an inhomogeneous ensemble via strong coupling to a cavity, a phenomenon called cavity protection. This technique has been demonstrated in the microwave domain with an NV spin ensemble, but has not been demonstrated in the optical domain. Here, we demonstrate cavity protection in the optical domain at the single photon level using an ensemble of rare earths ions coupled to a nanophotonic resonator. The reduction in decoherence due to the cavity-protection effect enables transfer of ultrafast (~50 GHz) frequency qubits into the collective ion excitation and retrieval with 98.7% fidelity. Building on these results to transfer these excitations to long-lived spin states would enable broadband, on-demand quantum memories. Furthermore, this works compliments the work done coupling rare-earths to superconducting resonators in the microwave regime with potential for applications in optical-to-microwave transducers.Rare-earth ions doped in crystals are renowned for their excellent coherence properties and large inhomogeneous broadening, which make them ideal for quantum interfaces with broadband photons. These properties have made them one of the leading technologies in quantum optical memories and a promising candidate for optical-to-microwave conversion. To take advantage of the full bandwidth of the rare-earth ensemble, one must overcome the decoherence of a broadband collective excitation due to inhomogeneous broadening. To this end, techniques based on controllable rephasing, such as atomic frequency comb (AFC) or controlled reversible inhomogeneous broadening (CRIB) memories, have been developed with great success. Recently, an alternative method was proposed to suppress the decoherence of an inhomogeneous ensemble via strong coupling to a cavity, a phenomenon called cavity protection. This technique has been demonstrated in the microwave domain with an NV spin ensemble, but has not been demonstrated in the optical domain. Here, we demonstrate cavity protection in the optical domain at the single photon level using an ensemble of rare earths ions coupled to a nanophotonic resonator. The reduction in decoherence due to the cavity-protection effect enables transfer of ultrafast (~50 GHz) frequency qubits into the collective ion excitation and retrieval with 98.7% fidelity. Building on these results to transfer these excitations to long-lived spin states would enable broadband, on-demand quantum memories. Furthermore, this works compliments the work done coupling rare-earths to superconducting resonators in the microwave regime with potential for applications in optical-to-microwave transducers.

Jun 2, 20170 citations

We report the storage of microwave pulses at the single-photon level in a spin-ensemble memory consisting of

{10}^{10}

nitrogen-vacancy centers in a diamond crystal coupled to a superconducting

LC

resonator. The energy of the signal, retrieved $100\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ later by spin-echo techniques, reaches

0.3%

of the energy absorbed by the spins. This

0.3%

storage efficiency is quantitatively accounted for by simulations. This figure of merit is sufficient to envision first implementations of a quantum memory for superconducting qubits.

35 μ

s, a three orders of magnitude improvement compared to previous experiments.