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arXiv:1408.5972 · Physical Review A

Solid-state optical interconnect between distant superconducting quantum chips

Keyu Xia, Jason Twamley

Published Apr 8, 2015• 25 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We propose a design for a quantum microwave-optical photonic interface using electron spins in crystals to adiabatically swap the quantum states between a flux qubit and optical cavity that can achieve a transfer fidelity in excess of $90%$. Following detailed modeling, we show that our protocol is robust against inhomogeneous broadening of the microwave and optical transitions, phase mismatch between the microwave and optical fields, and has the advantage that we can dynamically control the overall microwave-optical coupling strength in time. Using these capabilities we show how to coherently transport quantum information between two distant superconducting chips optically with a fidelity exceeding $90%$.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.91.042307

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We propose a design for a quantum microwave-optical photonic interface using electron spins in crystals to adiabatically swap the quantum states between a flux qubit and optical cavity that can achieve a transfer fidelity in excess of 9090%90. Following detailed modeling, we show that our protocol is robust against inhomogeneous broadening of the microwave and optical transitions, phase mismatch between the microwave and optical fields, and has the advantage that we can dynamically control the overall microwave-optical coupling strength in time. Using these capabilities we show how to coherently transport quantum information between two distant superconducting chips optically with a fidelity exceeding 9090%90.
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We propose a scheme to implement quantum state transfer between two distant quantum nodes via a hybrid solid–optomechanical interface. The quantum state is encoded on the native superconducting qubit, and transferred to the microwave photon, then the optical photon successively, which afterwards is transmitted to the remote node by cavity leaking, and finally the quantum state is transferred to the remote superconducting qubit. The high efficiency of the state transfer is achieved by controllable Gaussian pulses sequence and numerically demonstrated with theoretically feasible parameters. Our scheme has the potential to implement unified quantum computing–communication–computing, and high fidelity of the microwave–optics–microwave transfer process of the quantum state.
We propose a scheme to couple short single photon pulses to superconducting qubits. An optical photon is first absorbed into an inhomogeneously broadened rare-earth doped crystal using controlled reversible inhomogeneous broadening. The optical excitation is then mapped into a spin state using a series of π pulses and subsequently transferred to a superconducting qubit via a microwave cavity. To overcome the intrinsic and engineered inhomogeneous broadening of the optical and spin transitions in rare-earth doped crystals, we make use of a special transfer protocol using staggered π pulses. We predict total transfer efficiencies on the order of 90%.
A protocol is discussed which allows one to realize a transducer for single photons between the optical and the microwave frequency range. The transducer is a spin ensemble, where the individual emitters possess both an optical and a magnetic-dipole transition. Reversible frequency conversion is realized by combining optical photon storage, by means of electromagnetically induced transparency, with the controlled switching of the coupling between the magnetic-dipole transition and a superconducting qubit, which is realized by means of a microwave cavity. The efficiency is quantified by the global fidelity for coherently transferring a qubit excitation between a single optical photon and the superconducting qubit. We test various strategies and show that the total efficiency is essentially limited by the optical quantum memory: It can exceed 80% for ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy centers and approaches 99% for cold atomic ensemble, assuming state-of-the-art experimental parameters. This protocol allows one to bridge the gap between the optical and the microwave regime in order to efficiently combine superconducting and optical components in quantum networks.
We describe an adiabatic state-transfer mechanism that allows for high-fidelity transfer of a microwave quantum state from one cavity to another through an optical fiber. The conversion from microwave frequency to optical frequency is enabled by an optomechanical transducer. The transfer process utilizes a combined dark state of the mechanical oscillator and fiber modes, making it robust against both mechanical and fiber loss. We anticipate this scheme being an enabling component of a hybrid quantum computing architecture consisting of superconducting qubits with optical interconnects.
The coherent conversion of microwave to optical signals is for now a missing hardware for long-distance quantum communication between superconducting quantum (sub)processors that could form the nodes of a future quantum network. Various architectures for quantum simulations and information processing are being currently explored with different TRL levels. Among these, circuits of superconducting qubits have already moved from the fundamental research environment to the R&D units of companies. Recent developments have shown extraordinary abilities for performing fast and high-fidelity quantum logic operations. Their limitations are short coherence times precluding long-term storage of quantum information, and the difficulty of coupling distant quantum registers using microwave photons that are (near)resonant with qubit transitions. There is thus a need for (i) a quantum memory compatible with superconducting qubits, and (ii) a microwave to optical transducer to demonstrate the complete communication protocol between distant sub-registers consisting of a moderate number of superconducting qubits. Cold alkaline atoms which have long coherence time and possess transitions both in the MW and optical domain could certainly help improve on these limitations. In this presentation, I will describe how an integrated atom chip compatible with superconducting quantum processors and optical communication networks will be realized within the newly funded MOCA consortium that received the support from the QuantERA ERA-NET Cofund. I will also specifically discuss a newly developed solution to transport atoms in the near field of surfaces were the atom-light coupling strength will be enhanced.