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OSA Quantum 2.0 Conference

Coherent Optical and Spin Dynamics of Single 171Yb Ions Embedded In a Nanophotonic Cavity

Andrei Ruskuc, Jonathan M. Kindem, John G. Bartholomew, Jake Rochman, Yan Qi Huan, Andrei Faraon

Published Jan 1, 2020• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We demonstrate coherent optical and spin control of single 171Yb ions in YVO4 nanophotonic resonators as a platform for quantum network nodes with spin-CPMG and optical-Ramsey coherence times of 33 ms and 390 ns respectively.
DOI
10.1364/quantum.2020.qth6a.7

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Quantum light-matter interfaces that can reversibly map quantum information between photons and atoms are essential for building future quantum networks. Crystals doped with rare-earth ions (REIs) are an attractive solid-state platform for such light-matter interfaces due to their exceptional optical and spin coherence properties at cryogenic temperatures. Building scalable REI-based technology has proven to be challenging due to the inherently weak coupling of REIs with light. This thesis explores the integration of REIs with nanophotonic resonators to overcome this weak light-matter interaction and enable efficient, scalable quantum light-matter interfaces. Specifically, this work focuses on the development of quantum nanophotonics with ytterbium in yttrium orthovanadate. This thesis begins with an introduction to a nanophotonic platform based on photonic crystal cavities fabricated directly in rare-earth host materials and highlights the initial successes of this platform with neodymium-doped materials. This motivates an examination of the optical and spin coherence properties of 171Yb:YVO4, a REI material that was previously unexplored for quantum technology applications. This material is found to have strong optical transitions compared to other REI-doped materials, a simple energy level structure, and long optical and spin coherence lifetimes. The focus then turns to the detection and coherent manipulation of single ytterbium ions coupled to nanophotonic cavities. The Purcell-enhancement in these cavities enables efficient optical detection and spin initialization of individual ytterbium ions. We identify ions corresponding to different isotopes of ytterbium and show that the coupling of electron and nuclear spin in ytterbium-171 at zero-field gives rise to strong electron-spin-like transitions that are first-order insensitive to magnetic field fluctuations. This allows for coherent microwave control and the observation of long spin coherence lifetimes at temperatures up to 1 K. We then make use of the optical selection rules and energy structure of 171Yb:YVO4 to demonstrate high-fidelity single-shot optical readout of the spin state. These results establish nanophotonic devices in 171Yb:YVO4 as a promising platform for solid-state quantum light-matter interfaces.
Quantum networks are foundational components of quantum technology, enabling transformative applications in secure communication, distributed quantum computation, and enhanced sensing. Rare-earth ions in solid-state hosts represent a leading platform for building such networks due to their exceptional optical and spin coherence properties. This thesis details the experimental realization of a quantum network node using single ¹⁷¹Yb³⁺ ions in YVO₄ coupled to nanophotonic crystal cavities. We demonstrate the fundamental building blocks of quantum networks and develop multiple advanced capabilities, including multiplexing, protected nuclear spin storage, and high-dimensional qudit control, to expand the platform's power and versatility. Using this platform, we demonstrate heralded remote entanglement between two physically separate devices. A key innovation is a novel entanglement distribution protocol that employs real-time feedforward to cancel spectral diffusion on timescales slower than a single experiment by rephasing the optical transition based on photon arrival time. We also apply real-time phase compensations to entangle ¹⁷¹Yb ions with different optical frequencies. By combining this novel protocol with multiple spectrally distinguishable ions, we demonstrate heralding of a three-ion W state and implement multiplexed remote entanglement. This multiplexing approach increases the entanglement rate by nearly a factor of two, showcasing a scalable pathway to mitigate network overhead. Beyond establishing remote entanglement, we explore the local nuclear spin environment of ¹⁷¹Yb as an integrated quantum resource. We harness the four symmetrically located ⁵¹V nuclear spins to generate multi-qubit Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger states. Critically, we identify and experimentally verify a decoherence-protected subspace within these states that exhibits insensitivity to common-mode magnetic field noise. By developing a sequence to transfer quantum information into this protected subspace, we establish the ⁵¹VV nuclear ensemble as an integrated, noise-resilient quantum memory. To further expand the platform's capabilities, we demonstrate coherent control over the four-level ground state of the ¹⁷¹Yb ion, operating it as a qudit. Through development of a new device architecture that enables microwave driving of all transitions and comprehensive characterization of their coherence properties, this work establishes the foundation for higher-dimensional quantum communication protocols that offer significant advantages in network capacity and efficiency. Collectively, these results establish the ¹⁷¹Yb:YVO₄ system as a uniquely versatile platform and demonstrate the feasibility of building scalable quantum networks using single rare-earth ions in crystals.