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Progress towards quantum state transfer between microwave and optical light using an electro-optomechanical resonator

Robert W. Peterson, Peter S. Burns, Reed C. Andrews, Thomas Purdy, Katarina Cicak, Raymond W. Simmonds, Cindy A. Regal, Konrad W. Lehnert

Published Jan 1, 2015• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We have constructed a bidirectional and efficient converter between microwave and optical light using a mechanically compliant membrane coupled via the optomechanical interaction. Ongoing work towards quantum state transfer is discussed.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_qels.2015.fm3a.8

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Converting signals from the microwave to the optical domain has attracted great attention due to its potential applications in the field of quantum networks. Achieving efficient transduction is a significant yet challenging task, where a high efficiency at single photon level and low added noise are required. Electro-opto-mechanics have been proven to be efficient to convert microwave and optical photons bidirectionally. In this work, we propose and demonstrate an enhanced microwave-optical conversion in an electro-opto-mechanical system by introducing a mechanical ancilla attached the microwave resonator. Based on the ancillary electromechanical coupling, the damping rate of the microwave resonator is controlled and further leads to significant enhancement in conversion, such as the increase of conversion efficiency, broadening of conversion bandwidth and reduction of added noise. It provides a feasible approach to realize a broadband microwave-optical conversion with high efficiency. Moreover, the reduced added noise may break the limitation of quantum transduction due to the ancillary electromechanical coupling. Our scheme is also applicable and feasible for opto-mechanics and other systems to achieve practical quantum interface.