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Chinese Science Bulletin (Chinese Version)

Solid state quantum memory

Zong‐Quan Zhou, ChuanFeng Li

Published Feb 1, 2013• 6 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum memory is one of the fundamental building blocks for quantum networks. It can be used as a synchronization tool that matches various processes within a quantum computer, a tool to convert heralded photons to photons-on-demand and a quantum repeater for long-distance quantum communication. The rare-earth-ion doped crystal has been one of the best candidate systems for quantum memory. Here we report on the state-of-the-art developments in the field of solid state quantum memory, detail current perfomance levels and discuss potential applications of the developed techniques in other fields.

DOI
10.1360/972012-1281

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Quantum memory is one of the fundamental building blocks for quantum networks. It can be used as a synchronization tool that matches various processes within a quantum computer, a tool to convert heralded photons to photons-on-demand and a quantum repeater for long-distance quantum communication. The rare-earth-ion doped crystal has been one of the best candidate systems for quantum memory. Here we report on the state-of-the-art developments in the field of solid state quantum memory, detail current perfomance levels and discuss potential applications of the developed techniques in other fields.
Quantum memories are very important in quantum communication and information as they provide a quantum interface between photons, used for long distance communication, and matter, in which stationary qubits can be stored. Moreover they are fundamental building blocks in quantum repeaters. Rare-earth doped crystals (REDC) are promising candidates for the implementation of quantum memories because of their excellent coherence properties at cryogenic temperatures and because solid state offers good prospect for scalability and integration.
Abstract Quantum memory is a core enabling device for large-scale quantum networks, serving as the fundamental building block for quantum repeaters and transportable quantum memories. Among various physical platforms, rare-earth-ion-doped crystals stand out as one of the most promising solid-state candidates for long-lived photonic quantum memories, owing to their exceptionally long spin coherence time and their compatibility with integration. In this review, we first introduce the physical mechanisms underlying long-lived spin coherence in rare-earth systems, with particular emphasis on the zero-first-order-Zeeman transition and dynamical decoupling techniques. We then review the experimental progress in this field, highlighting three distinct lifetimes—the spin coherence time, the light storage time, and the quantum storage time—and covering experiments that have achieved hour-scale spin coherence, minute- to hour-scale light storage, and minute-scale single-photon-level quantum storage. Finally, we discuss the remaining challenges that hinder the realization of practical long-lived quantum memories, explore potential strategies to overcome these obstacles, and outline the prospects for their future applications in quantum networks.
The reversible transfer of unknown quantum states between light and matter is essential for constructing large-scale quantum networks. Over the last decade, various physical systems have been proposed to realize such quantum memory for light. The solid-state quantum memory based on rare-earth-ion-doped solids has the advantages of a reduced setup complexity and high robustness for scalable application. We describe the methods used to spectrally prepare the quantum memory and release the photonic excitation on-demand. We will review the state of the art experiments and discuss the perspective applications of this particular system in both quantum information science and fundamental tests of quantum physics.
The ability of storing and retrieving quantum states of light is an important experimental challenge in quantum information science. A powerful quantum memory for light is required in a quantum repeater, which would allow long distance (>500km) quantum communications. To be implemented in such application, the quantum memory must allow on-demand readout, with high fidelity and efficiency, and a long storage time. Additionally a multimode capacity (for temporal or spatial modes) would allow multiplexing. Our approaches focus on rare-earth doped crystals, i.e. solid state quantum memory. I present, in this work, our contributions for a solid-state quantum storage, with good performances in every criteria. In particular, I present the preservation of quantum entanglement during the storage, which paves the way for the implementation of quantum memories in quantum repeaters.
Abstract Many applications of quantum communication crucially depend on reversible transfer of quantum states between light and matter. Motivated by rapid recent developments in theory and experiment, we review research related to quantum memory based on a photon‐echo approach in solid state material with emphasis on use in a quantum repeater. After introducing quantum communication, the quantum repeater concept, and properties of a quantum memory required to be useful in a quantum repeater, we describe the historical development from spin echoes, discovered in 1950, to photon‐echo quantum memory. We present a simple theoretical description of the ideal protocol, and comment on the impact of a non‐ideal realization on its quantum nature. We extensively discuss rare‐earth‐ion doped crystals and glasses as material candidates, elaborate on traditional photon‐echo experiments as a test‐bed for quantum state storage, and describe the current state‐of‐the‐art of photon‐echo quantum memory. Finally, we give a brief outlook on current research.