Quantum transduction is essential for the future hybrid quantum networks, connecting devices across different spectral ranges. In this regard, molecular modulation in hollow-core fibers has proven to be exceptional for efficient and tunable frequency conversion of arbitrary light fields down to the single-photon limit. However, insights into this conversion method for quantum light have remained elusive beyond standard semi-classical models. In this Letter, we employ a quantum Hamiltonian framework to characterize the behavior of entanglement during molecular modulation while describing the quantum dynamics of both molecules and photons in agreement with recent experiments. In particular, apart from obtaining analytical expressions for the final opto-molecular states, our model predicts a close correlation between the evolution of the average photon numbers and the transfer of entanglement between the interacting parties. These results will contribute to the development of new fiber-based strategies to tackle the challenges associated with the upcoming generation of lightwave quantum technologies.
Quantum transduction is essential for the future hybrid quantum networks, connecting devices across different spectral ranges. In this regard, molecular modulation in hollow-core fibers has proven to be exceptional for efficient and tunable frequency conversion of arbitrary light fields down to the single-photon limit. However, insights into this conversion method for quantum light have remained elusive beyond standard semi-classical models. In this Letter, we employ a quantum Hamiltonian framework to characterize the behavior of entanglement during molecular modulation while describing the quantum dynamics of both molecules and photons in agreement with recent experiments. In particular, apart from obtaining analytical expressions for the final opto-molecular states, our model predicts a close correlation between the evolution of the average photon numbers and the transfer of entanglement between the interacting parties. These results will contribute to the development of new fiber-based strategies to tackle the challenges associated with the upcoming generation of lightwave quantum technologies.
Preserving the underlying statistical properties of light during frequency transduction is essential for interfacing spectrally disparate quantum systems. To do this successfully, the process needs to be highly efficient, broadband and noiseless. Despite significant progress in this field, satisfying all these conditions remains challenging. Recently, molecular modulation-based transduction in hollow-core fibers has emerged as a promising approach, where biphoton correlations were proven to be preserved during frequency up-conversion. However, beyond this previous demonstration of correlation-maintaining conversion, whether molecular modulation can preserve more general statistical properties of light remains experimentally unexplored. Here, we demonstrate the conservation of photon-number statistics during selective frequency transduction by Raman molecular modulation in a hydrogen-filled hollow-core fiber. As a proof of concept, weak 585-nm signals are selectively converted to 773 nm in the near-infrared and to 471 nm in the blue spectral region with near-unity efficiencies. Phase matching between the generated coherence waves and the transitions of interest is achieved through the effective dispersion of the system, enabling independent selection of the frequency up- and down-conversion processes. The preservation of the photon-number statistics of the shifted signals, along with the large frequency shifts, broad tunability and compatibility with quantum-optical fields, provides a versatile fiber-based platform for quantum frequency transduction. In particular, the demonstrated interfacing between visible and near-infrared wavelengths using low pump energies and low gas pressures offers a route towards connecting spectrally distinct quantum systems, including quantum emitters, sensors and atomic quantum memories, within hybrid quantum networks.
Quantum frequency conversion (QFC) plays a pivotal role in enabling coherent photonic interfaces across disparate quantum systems, serving as a foundation for scalable and interoperable quantum networks. Among various approaches, four-wave mixing (FWM) offers a promising path toward efficient, broadband QFC. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of phase-preserving frequency conversion, a necessary condition for coherent quantum state transfer, by characterizing the spectral phase mapping from input to output fields. We model nonlinear propagation through a gas-filled hollow-core capillary fiber, to demonstrate highly phase-coherent frequency conversion across a broad spectral range, including the infrared to ultraviolet, such as telecom (1550 nm) to visible (516 nm) and deep-UV (308 nm). We further examine how phase-mapping quality and conversion efficiency depend on key system parameters, including the intermediate pulse bandwidth and input pulse energy. Our results reveal optimal operating conditions for achieving future efficient and coherent QFC and provide valuable insights into the nonlinear dynamics underlying FWM-based transduction. These findings lay the groundwork for integrating heterogeneous quantum platforms across widely separated optical bands.
Preservation of the photon statistics of quantum states of light upon frequency conversion is of great importance for modern quantum optics. For example, it holds the key to practical implementation of systems such as quantum networks which often require interfacing of different sub-units that do not operate in the same frequency bands. Although many integrated schemes have been demonstrated [1] , [2] , most offer small frequency shifts, limited tunability, and often suffer from high insertion loss and Raman noise generated in bulk materials.
Quantum communication via solid-core fiber (SCF) networks is currently limited by signal attenuation, whereas hollow-core fibers (HCFs) offer a promising alternative due to their lower absorption and scattering losses. While gas-filled HCFs are widely used in atomic and molecular optics, their impact on quantum communication remains largely unexplored. This study is an investigation of the interaction between entangled photons and various gas species to assess their relevance for HCF-based quantum communication. Using a type-I SPDC setup, polarization-entangled photon pairs were generated and analyzed within a vacuum/gas cell system. The system demonstrated statistically significant non-classical correlations, with negligible signal attenuation differences across most gas configurations, except for Neon which consistently showed lower correlation values. Future improvements are suggested to enhance measurement variance, enabling deeper analysis and potential applications in quantum communication using gas filled HCFs.
Quantum communication via solid-core fiber (SCF) networks is currently limited by signal attenuation, whereas hollow-core fibers (HCFs) offer a promising alternative due to their lower absorption and scattering losses. While gas-filled HCFs are widely used in atomic and molecular optics, their impact on quantum communication remains largely unexplored. This study is an investigation of the interaction between entangled photons and various gas species to assess their relevance for HCF-based quantum communication. Using a type-I SPDC setup, polarization-entangled photon pairs were generated and analyzed within a vacuum/gas cell system. The system demonstrated statistically significant non-classical correlations, with negligible signal attenuation differences across most gas configurations, except for Neon which consistently showed lower correlation values. Future improvements are suggested to enhance measurement variance, enabling deeper analysis and potential applications in quantum communication using gas filled HCFs.
Quantum transduction, which enables the coherent conversion of quantum information between disparate physical platforms, is a cornerstone for realizing scalable and interoperable quantum networks. Among various approaches, parametric frequency mixing processes such as four-wave mixing (FWM) offer a promising pathway toward efficient and low-noise transduction. In this work, we demonstrate the feasibility of coherent quantum state transfer by indirectly verifying high-fidelity wavefunction's phase mapping (>99%) from the input field to the generated output field wave. Using a gas-filled hollow-core capillary fiber, we systematically investigate spectral phase evolution across a broad range, including infrared (IR) to ultraviolet (UV) transitions, as well as conversions from telecom-band (1550 nm) to visible (516 nm) and deep-UV (308 nm) wavelengths. Our results reveal that strong phase coherence can be maintained throughout these diverse conversion regimes. Because quantum properties such as coherence and entanglement are intrinsically encoded in both the amplitude and phase of a photonic wavefunction, preserving spectral phase is essential for faithful quantum information transfer. We further show that efficient and phase-preserving transduction can be achieved by tuning system parameters, offering valuable insights into nonlinear coupling dynamics. These findings establish a promising foundation for advancing FWM-based quantum transduction schemes and open new avenues for integrating heterogeneous quantum systems across wide spectral domains within future quantum communication networks.