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Building Quantum Networks with Ions in Optical Cavities

Tracy E. Northup, Bernardo Casabone, B. Brandstätter, Konstantin Friebe, Klemens Schüppert, Florian R. Ong, R. Blatt

Published Jan 1, 2014• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Trapped ions are a key experimental platform for quantum computing, while photons transport information over long distances. Optical cavities provide a coherent link between these two systems, as demonstrated by recent experiments with calcium ions.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_qels.2014.fth3b.3

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Combining optical cavities with trapped atomic ions is a powerful tool to investigate the interaction of light with matter on the most fundamental scale: a single atom with a single particle of light. Recent advances have not only demonstrated the emission of single photons, ion-photon entanglement and ion-ion entanglement but paved the way to use these systems in modern quantum technologies. Ion-cavity systems are now one of the most promising technologies for realising a scalable quantum computer and quantum networks. While the integration of optical cavities and ion traps is challenging, new techniques and technologies made it possible to demonstrate important building blocks for such systems.
The realisation of efficient ion-photon quantum interfaces is an essential step towards developing operational quantum information networks. Individual trapped ions have been shown as promising candidates for quantum information processing nodes, while effective ion manipulation and photonic links between nodes can be realised by deterministic coupling of ions to optical cavities. However, integrating optical cavities into ion traps remains a challenge as the trapping potential is affected by the presence of any dielectric or conductor.
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Trapped ions are a promising platform for local quantum information processing. In order to distribute this quantum information over long distances, we can take advantage of optical cavities, which ofier a coherent interface between matter and light, enabling the transfer of quantum information from stationary qubits such as ions onto photons. We demonstrate such an interface by coupling trapped ions to a cavity and have recently shown that a quantum state can be faithfully transferred from a single ion onto a single photon. In particular, this transfer can be improved by taking advantage of a collective effect between multiple ions, namely, superradiant emission into the cavity. In this proof-of-principle experiment, we tune the phase of a two-ion entangled state between sub- and superradiance. The superradiant coupling is then used to enhance the transfer of quantum information onto a photon from a logical qubit encoded in the two ions. Finally, prospects for linking together distant ions in cavities via a quantum network are discussed. Toward this goal, we outline a fiber-based ion-cavity experiment which allows access to the single-ion strong-coupling regime.
Quantum computation and communication exploit the quantum properties of superposition and entanglement in order to perform tasks that may be impossible using classical means. In this Colloquium recent experimental and theoretical progress in the generation of entangled quantum networks based on the use of optical photons as carriers of information between fixed trapped atomic ion quantum memories are reviewed. Taken together, these quantum platforms offer a promising vision for the realization of a large-scale quantum network that could impact the future of communication and computation.