Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

On-chip Microwave-to-Optical Transducer Based on Rare-Earth Ions

Tian Xie, Jake Rochman, John G. Bartholomew, Keith Schwab, Andrei Faraon

Published Jan 1, 2022• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Microwave-to-optical transduction is essential for connecting superconducting platforms with optical quantum networks. We demonstrate coherent transduction in both continuous-wave and pulsed mode using rare-earth ions with an integrated superconducting microwave resonator and nanophotonic optical resonator.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_qels.2022.fw4d.5

Related papers

On-chip Microwave to Optical Transduction Using Rare Earth Doped Materials

Andrei Faraon, Jake Rochman, Tian Xie +1 more

Rare-earth ions simultaneously coupled to optical and microwave resonators are one of the platforms for realizing efficient microwave to optical quantum transducers. I discuss our group’s recent progress towards this goal.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2021•0 citations

On-chip coherent microwave-to-optical transduction mediated by ytterbium in YVO4

John G. Bartholomew, Jake Rochman, Tian Xie +5 more

Optical networks that distribute entanglement among various quantum systems will form a powerful framework for quantum science but are yet to interface with leading quantum hardware such as superconducting qubits. Consequently, these systems remain isolated because microwave links at room temperature are noisy and lossy. Building long distance connectivity requires interfaces that map quantum information between microwave and optical fields. While preliminary microwave-to-optical transducers have been realized, developing efficient, low-noise devices that match superconducting qubit frequencies (gigahertz) and bandwidths (10 kilohertz - 1 megahertz) remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate a proof-of-concept on-chip transducer using trivalent ytterbium-171 ions in yttrium orthovanadate coupled to a nanophotonic waveguide and a microwave transmission line. The device's miniaturization, material, and zero-magnetic-field operation are important advances for rare-earth ion magneto-optical devices. Further integration with high quality factor microwave and optical resonators will enable efficient transduction and create opportunities toward multi-platform quantum networks.

arXiv:1912.03671•Nature Communications•Jun 29, 2020•125 citations

On-chip coherent microwave-to-optical transduction mediated by ytterbium in YVO4

John G. Bartholomew, Jake Rochman, Tian Xie +5 more

Abstract Optical networks that distribute entanglement among various quantum systems will form a powerful framework for quantum science but are yet to interface with leading quantum hardware such as superconducting qubits. Consequently, these systems remain isolated because microwave links at room temperature are noisy and lossy. Building long distance connectivity requires interfaces that map quantum information between microwave and optical fields. While preliminary microwave-to-optical transducers have been realized, developing efficient, low-noise devices that match superconducting qubit frequencies (gigahertz) and bandwidths (10 kilohertz – 1 megahertz) remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate a proof-of-concept on-chip transducer using trivalent ytterbium-171 ions in yttrium orthovanadate coupled to a nanophotonic waveguide and a microwave transmission line. The device′s miniaturization, material, and zero-magnetic-field operation are important advances for rare-earth ion magneto-optical devices. Further integration with high quality factor microwave and optical resonators will enable efficient transduction and create opportunities toward multi-platform quantum networks.

•Jan 1, 2020•111 citations

Coherent Control of Rare-Earth Ions in On-Chip Devices for Microwave-to-Optical Transduction

John G. Bartholomew, Jake Rochman, Jonathan M. Kindem +5 more

Entangling microwave and optical photons is essential to harness disparate technologies for building larger scale quantum networks. We demonstrate coherent microwave-to-optical transduction using a nanobeam waveguide containing rare-earth ions in a dilution refrigerator.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2019•1 citation

Miniaturizing Rare-Earth Ion Microwave to Optical Transducers

John G. Bartholomew, Jake Rochman, Jonathan M. Kindem +4 more

We present the development of an on-chip rare-earth ion architecture that integrates planar microwave elements and photonic structures to realize coherent microwave to optical transduction.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2018•1 citation

Microwave-to-optical transduction with erbium ions coupled to planar photonic and superconducting resonators

Jake Rochman, Tian Xie, John G. Bartholomew +2 more

Abstract Optical quantum networks can connect distant quantum processors to enable secure quantum communication and distributed quantum computing. Superconducting qubits are a leading technology for quantum information processing but cannot couple to long-distance optical networks without an efficient, coherent, and low noise interface between microwave and optical photons. Here, we demonstrate a microwave-to-optical transducer using an ensemble of erbium ions that is simultaneously coupled to a superconducting microwave resonator and a nanophotonic optical resonator. The coherent atomic transitions of the ions mediate the frequency conversion from microwave photons to optical photons and using photon counting we observed device conversion efficiency approaching 10 −7 . With pulsed operation at a low duty cycle, the device maintained a spin temperature below 100 mK and microwave resonator heating of less than 0.15 quanta.

Nature Communications•Mar 1, 2023•48 citations
Optical networks that distribute entanglement among various quantum systems will form a powerful framework for quantum science but are yet to interface with leading quantum hardware such as superconducting qubits. Consequently, these systems remain isolated because microwave links at room temperature are noisy and lossy. Building long distance connectivity requires interfaces that map quantum information between microwave and optical fields. While preliminary microwave-to-optical transducers have been realized, developing efficient, low-noise devices that match superconducting qubit frequencies (gigahertz) and bandwidths (10 kilohertz - 1 megahertz) remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate a proof-of-concept on-chip transducer using trivalent ytterbium-171 ions in yttrium orthovanadate coupled to a nanophotonic waveguide and a microwave transmission line. The device's miniaturization, material, and zero-magnetic-field operation are important advances for rare-earth ion magneto-optical devices. Further integration with high quality factor microwave and optical resonators will enable efficient transduction and create opportunities toward multi-platform quantum networks.
Abstract Optical networks that distribute entanglement among various quantum systems will form a powerful framework for quantum science but are yet to interface with leading quantum hardware such as superconducting qubits. Consequently, these systems remain isolated because microwave links at room temperature are noisy and lossy. Building long distance connectivity requires interfaces that map quantum information between microwave and optical fields. While preliminary microwave-to-optical transducers have been realized, developing efficient, low-noise devices that match superconducting qubit frequencies (gigahertz) and bandwidths (10 kilohertz – 1 megahertz) remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate a proof-of-concept on-chip transducer using trivalent ytterbium-171 ions in yttrium orthovanadate coupled to a nanophotonic waveguide and a microwave transmission line. The device′s miniaturization, material, and zero-magnetic-field operation are important advances for rare-earth ion magneto-optical devices. Further integration with high quality factor microwave and optical resonators will enable efficient transduction and create opportunities toward multi-platform quantum networks.
Abstract Optical quantum networks can connect distant quantum processors to enable secure quantum communication and distributed quantum computing. Superconducting qubits are a leading technology for quantum information processing but cannot couple to long-distance optical networks without an efficient, coherent, and low noise interface between microwave and optical photons. Here, we demonstrate a microwave-to-optical transducer using an ensemble of erbium ions that is simultaneously coupled to a superconducting microwave resonator and a nanophotonic optical resonator. The coherent atomic transitions of the ions mediate the frequency conversion from microwave photons to optical photons and using photon counting we observed device conversion efficiency approaching 10 −7 . With pulsed operation at a low duty cycle, the device maintained a spin temperature below 100 mK and microwave resonator heating of less than 0.15 quanta.