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arXiv:2402.17752

Multiplexed quantum repeaters with hot multimode alkali-noble gas memories

Barbosa, Alexandre, Hugo Terças, Emmanuel Zambrini Cruzeiro

Published Feb 27, 2024• 0 citations
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Abstract

We propose a non-cryogenic optical quantum memory for noble-gas nuclear spins based on the Atomic Frequency Comb (AFC) protocol. Owing to the hours-long coherence lifetimes of the noble-gas spins and the large bandwidth provided by the AFC independently of the optical depth, we estimate a time-bandwidth product of up to $9.7 \times 10^{15}$ for a realistic experimental configuration, using alkali-metal atoms as mediators. Leveraging this long-lived multimode memory, we propose a fiber-based quantum repeater scheme that could enable entanglement distribution across distances over $2000 \ \mathrm{km}$ with only $8$ elementary links, operating fully without cryogenics. Finally, we discuss how these quantum memories can enhance rates in satellite quantum communication networks.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2402.17752

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We propose a non-cryogenic optical quantum memory for noble-gas nuclear spins based on the Atomic Frequency Comb (AFC) protocol. Owing to the hours-long coherence lifetimes of the noble-gas spins and the large bandwidth provided by the AFC independently of the optical depth, we estimate a time-bandwidth product of up to 9.7×10159.7 \times 10^{15}9.7×1015 for a realistic experimental configuration, using alkali-metal atoms as mediators. Leveraging this long-lived multimode memory, we propose a fiber-based quantum repeater scheme that could enable entanglement distribution across distances over 2000 km2000 \ \mathrm{km}2000 km with only 888 elementary links, operating fully without cryogenics. Finally, we discuss how these quantum memories can enhance rates in satellite quantum communication networks.
Quantum networking seeks to enable global entanglement distribution through terrestrial and free space channels; however, the exponential loss in these channels necessitates quantum repeaters with efficient, long lived quantum memories (QMs). Space based architectures, particularly satellite assisted links, offer a path to truly global connectivity, yet they demand QMs that are compatible with orbital factors such as infrared radiation and the unique challenges of operating aboard a satellite. In this work, we propose a multimode quantum memory (MMQM) for low Earth orbit (LEO) repeaters based on the atomic frequency comb (AFC) protocol. Our design integrates a hybrid alkali noble gas ensemble in an optical cavity, using alkali atoms for strong photon matter coupling and noble gas nuclear spins for minutes to hours coherence, all without the need for cryogenics. The architecture natively supports temporal and spectral multiplexing, enabling the storage of 100 modes to parallelize probabilistic operations and overcome light limited round trip times. Representative link budgets at h=500h = 500h=500 km with realistic apertures, ηmem≳70η_{\text{mem}}\gtrsim 70%ηmem​≳70, and tbuffert_{\text{buffer}}tbuffer​ of several minutes predict improvements of up to two orders of magnitude in per pass success probability and instantaneous SKR relative to a memoryless dual downlink, with clear scaling in NNN. Our contributions are (i) a non cryogenic, space ready multimode memory, (ii) a systems analysis coupling mode count, storage time, and orbital geometry to achievable rate, and (iii) a near term implementation roadmap. Together, these results indicate feasibility with current to near term technology and provide a practical path toward a high rate, space enabled quantum internet.
We propose a quantum repeater architecture that can operate without cryogenics. Each node in our architecture builds on a cell of hot alkali atoms and noble-gas spins which offer a storage time as long as a few hours. Such a cell of hybrid gases is placed in a ring cavity, which allows us to suppress the detrimental four-wave mixing (FWM) noise in the system. We investigate the protocol based on a single-photon source made of an ensemble of the same hot alkali atoms. A single photon emitted from the source is either stored in the memory or transmitted to the central station to be detected. We quantify the fidelity and success probability of generating entanglement between two remote ensembles of noble-gas spins by taking into account finite memory efficiency, channel loss, and dark counts in detectors. We describe how the entanglement can be extended to long distances via entanglement swapping operations by retrieving the stored signal. Moreover, we quantify the performance of this proposed repeater architecture in terms of repeater rates and overall entanglement fidelities and compare it to another recently proposed non-cryogenic quantum repeater architecture based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers and optomechanical spin-photon interfaces. As the system requires a relatively simple setup, it is much easier to perform multiplexing, which enables achieving rates comparable to the rates of repeaters with NV centers and optomechanics, while the overall entanglement fidelities of the present scheme are higher than the fidelities of the previous scheme. Our work shows that a scalable long-distance quantum network made of hot hybrid atomic gases is within reach of current technological capabilities.
We propose a quantum repeater architecture that can operate without cryogenics. Each node in our architecture builds on a cell of hot alkali atoms and noble-gas spins that offer an hours-long storage time. Such a cell of hybrid gases is placed in a ring cavity, which allows us to suppress the detrimental four-wave-mixing noise in the system. We investigate the protocol based on a single-photon source made of an ensemble of the same hot alkali atoms. A single photon emitted from the source is either stored in the memory or transmitted to the central station to be detected. We quantify the fidelity and success probability of generating entanglement between two remote ensembles of noble-gas spins by taking into account finite memory efficiency, channel loss, and dark counts in detectors. We describe how the entanglement can be extended to long distances via entanglement swapping operations by retrieving the stored signal. Moreover, we quantify the performance of this proposed repeater architecture in terms of repeater rates and overall entanglement fidelities and compare it to another recently proposed noncryogenic quantum repeater architecture based on nitrogen-vacancy (N-V) centers and optomechanical spin-photon interfaces. As the system requires a relatively simple setup, it is easier to perform multiplexing, which enables achieving rates comparable to the rates of repeaters with N-V centers and optomechanics, while the overall entanglement fidelities of the present scheme are higher than the fidelities of the previous scheme. Our work shows that a scalable long-distance quantum network made of hot hybrid atomic gases is within reach of current technological capabilities.
An efficient multimode quantum memory is a crucial resource for long-distance quantum communication based on quantum repeaters. We propose a quantum memory based on spectral shaping of an inhomogeneously broadened optical transition into an atomic frequency comb (AFC). The spectral width of the AFC allows efficient storage of multiple temporal modes without the need to increase the absorption depth of the storage material, in contrast to previously known quantum memories. Efficient readout is possible thanks to rephasing of the atomic dipoles due to the AFC structure. Long-time storage and on-demand readout is achieved by use of spin states in a lambda-type configuration. We show that an AFC quantum memory realized in solids doped with rare-earth-metal ions could store hundreds of modes or more with close to unit efficiency, for material parameters achievable today.
Abstract Ensemble-based quantum memories are key to developing multiplexed quantum repeaters, able to overcome the intrinsic rate limitation imposed by finite communication times over long distances. Rare-earth ion doped crystals are main candidates for highly multimode quantum memories, where time, frequency and spatial multiplexing can be exploited to store multiple modes. In this context the atomic frequency comb (AFC) quantum memory provides large temporal multimode capacity, which can readily be combined with multiplexing in frequency and space. In this article, we derive theoretical formulas for quantifying the temporal multimode capacity of AFC-based memories, for both optical memories with fixed storage time and spin-wave memories with longer storage times and on-demand read out. The temporal multimode capacity is expressed in key memory parameters, such as AFC bandwidth, fixed-delay storage time, memory efficiency, and control field Rabi frequency. Current experiments in europium- and praseodymium-doped Y2SiO5 are analyzed within this theoretical framework, which is also tested with newly acquired data, as prospects for higher temporal capacity in these materials are considered. In addition we consider the possibility of spectral and spatial multiplexing to further increase the mode capacity, with examples given for praseodymium doped Y2SiO5.
We argue that long optical storage times are required to establish entanglement at high rates over large distances using memory-based quantum repeaters. Triggered by this conclusion, we investigate the 795.325  nm3795.325\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{nm}}^{3}795.325  nm3 ${\mathrm{H}}_{6}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}{^{3}\mathrm{H}}_{4}$ transition of Tm:Y3Ga5O12\mathrm{Tm}:{\mathrm{Y}}_{3}{\text{Ga}}_{5}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}Tm:Y3​Ga5​O12​ (Tm:YGG). Most importantly, we find that the optical coherence time can reach 1.1 ms, and, using laser pulses, we demonstrate optical storage based on the atomic frequency comb protocol during up to $100\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ as well as a memory decay time Tm{T}_{m}Tm​ of $13.1\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$. Possibilities of how to narrow the gap between the measured value of Tm{T}_{m}Tm​ and its maximum of $275\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ are discussed. In addition, we demonstrate multiplexed storage, including with feed-forward selection, shifting and filtering of spectral modes, as well as quantum state storage using members of nonclassical photon pairs. Our results show the potential of Tm:YGG for creating multiplexed quantum memories with long optical storage times, and open the path to repeater-based quantum networks with high entanglement distribution rates.