Quantum repeaters promise to enable quantum networks over global distances by circumventing the exponential decrease in success probability inherent in direct photon transmission. We propose a realistic, functionally integrated quantum-repeater implementation based on single atoms in optical cavities. Entanglement is directly generated between the single-atom quantum memory and a photon at telecom wavelength. The latter is collected with high efficiency and adjustable temporal and spectral properties into a spatially well-defined cavity mode. It is heralded by a near-infrared photon emitted from a second, orthogonal cavity. Entanglement between two remote quantum memories can be generated via an optical Bell-state measurement, while we propose entanglement swapping based on a highly efficient, cavity-assisted atom-atom gate. Our quantum-repeater scheme eliminates any requirement for wavelength conversion such that only a single system is needed at each node. We investigate a particular implementation with rubidium and realistic parameters for Fabry–Perot cavities based on
CO2 laser-machined optical fibers. We show that the scheme enables the implementation of a rather simple quantum repeater that outperforms direct entanglement generation over large distances and does not require any improvements in technology beyond the state of the art.
Efficient quantum repeaters are needed to combat photon losses in fibers in future quantum networks. Single atom coupled with photonic cavity offers a great platform for photon-atom gate. Here I propose a quantum repeater scheme with efficient entanglement generation and entanglement swapping based on photon-atom gates. It can be implemented with various types of atomic systems and requires much less experimental complexity compared to other repeater protocols. With current available experimental techniques and reasonable improvements, high entanglement distribution rates can be achieved. A multiplexing configuration of 10 single atoms in cavities, secret key rates in order of a few Hz to 100 s Hz can be achieved for communication distance of 1000 km. This proposal paves the way for the demonstration of an efficient entanglement distribution with quantum repeaters in the near future.