Interfacing a single atom with single photons

We present the implementation of a programmable atom-photon quantum interface, employing a single trapped $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}^{+}$ ion and single photons. Depending on its mode of operation, the interface serves as a bidirectional atom-photon quantum-state converter, as a source of entangled atom-photon states, or as a quantum frequency converter of single photons. The interface lends itself particularly to interfacing ions with spontaneous parametric down-conversion--based single-photon or entangled-photon-pair sources.We present the implementation of a programmable atom-photon quantum interface, employing a single trapped $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}^{+}$ ion and single photons. Depending on its mode of operation, the interface serves as a bidirectional atom-photon quantum-state converter, as a source of entangled atom-photon states, or as a quantum frequency converter of single photons. The interface lends itself particularly to interfacing ions with spontaneous parametric down-conversion--based single-photon or entangled-photon-pair sources.

arXiv:1603.06472Physical Review AJun 30, 201626 citations

Single Photons from a Single Atom

ScienceMar 25, 20040 citations

Quantum Interface between Single Photons and Ions

Kazuhiro Hayasaka

Recent developments towards photon-atom quantum interface are described. The quantum interface is realized by reversible time evolution of an atom-cavity coupled system. Proof of principle experiments have been demonstrated with neutral atoms recently. With trapped ions, the interface has not been realized yet, although single photon generation with tailored waveforms has been achieved in an ion-cavity system, in which a same calcium ion has been kept localized in a cavity for more than 90 minutes. Strategies towards the photon-ion quantum interface are described.Recent developments towards photon-atom quantum interface are described. The quantum interface is realized by reversible time evolution of an atom-cavity coupled system. Proof of principle experiments have been demonstrated with neutral atoms recently. With trapped ions, the interface has not been realized yet, although single photon generation with tailored waveforms has been achieved in an ion-cavity system, in which a same calcium ion has been kept localized in a cavity for more than 90 minutes. Strategies towards the photon-ion quantum interface are described.

The Review of Laser EngineeringJan 1, 20080 citations

Trapping an atom with single photons

Pepijn W. H. Pinkse, Thomas H. Fischer, Peter Maunz +1 more

NatureMar 1, 2000435 citations

Single-Atom Single-Photon Quantum Interface

Tatjana Wilk, S. C. Webster, Axel Kuhn +1 more

A major challenge for a scalable quantum computing architecture is the faithful transfer of information from one node to another. We report on the realization of an atom-photon quantum interface based on an optical cavity, using it to entangle a single atom with a single photon and then to map the quantum state of the atom onto a second single photon. The latter step disentangles the atom from the light and produces an entangled photon pair. Our scheme is intrinsically deterministic and establishes the basic element required to realize a distributed quantum network with individual atoms at rest as quantum memories and single flying photons as quantum messengers.A major challenge for a scalable quantum computing architecture is the faithful transfer of information from one node to another. We report on the realization of an atom-photon quantum interface based on an optical cavity, using it to entangle a single atom with a single photon and then to map the quantum state of the atom onto a second single photon. The latter step disentangles the atom from the light and produces an entangled photon pair. Our scheme is intrinsically deterministic and establishes the basic element required to realize a distributed quantum network with individual atoms at rest as quantum memories and single flying photons as quantum messengers.

ScienceJun 22, 2007509 citations

We present the implementation of a programmable atom-photon quantum interface, employing a single trapped

^{40}\mathrm{Ca}^{+}

ion and single photons. Depending on its mode of operation, the interface serves as a bidirectional atom-photon quantum-state converter, as a source of entangled atom-photon states, or as a quantum frequency converter of single photons. The interface lends itself particularly to interfacing ions with spontaneous parametric down-conversion--based single-photon or entangled-photon-pair sources.