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

Kluwer Academic Publishers eBooks

Quantum Networks for Distributed Quantum Information Processing

Harry J. Kimble

Published Dec 19, 2005• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum networks for the processing and distribution of quantum information could consist of quantum “nodes” for the manipulation and storage of quantum information, with these nodes linked by quantum “channels” for the transmission of quantum states. The leading proposal for the realization of such networks utilizes atoms within optical cavities as the “nodes.” Conversion of internal atomic state information into optical photons that propagate from one cavity to another forms the basis for the “channels.” Unfortunately, even in terms of laboratory “proof-of-principle” demonstrations, technical capabilities are far short of those required to implement such quantum networks. However, along the road to these ends, there lies a rich set of scientific problems that are the subject of this paper, including nonlinear optics with single atoms and photons, trapping of individual atoms within high finesse optical cavities, and teleportation of quantum states.

DOI
10.1007/0-306-47097-7_35

Related papers

Quantum communication and computation in quantum optics

Harry J. Kimble, J. R. Buck, Christopher A. Fuchs +9 more

Summary form only given. In the quantum optics group at Caltech, we are attempting to lay the foundations for quantum information science by way of advances on several fronts in optical physics. Within the setting of cavity QED, single atoms are strongly coupled to the field of a high finesse optical cavity at the single photon level, with current work directed toward trapping and localization of atoms inside the cavity. Although there are daunting technical problems to overcome, a principal scientific objective is the creation of quantum networks to implement fundamental quantum communication protocols and for distributed quantum computation. Beyond quantum information processing with internal atomic states and photons serving as qubits, we are also investigating algorithms for continuous quantum variables. A recent example is our realization of quantum teleportation for the quadrature amplitudes of a beam of light. The experiment utilizes squeezed-state entanglement to achieve unconditional quantum teleportation.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•Jan 20, 2003•0 citations

Quantum networks based on single atoms in optical cavities

Stephan Ritter, Christian Nölleke, Carolin Hahn +7 more

The distribution of quantum information as well as the utilization of non-locality are at the heart of quantum networks, which show great promise for future applications like quantum communication, distributed quantum computing and quantum metrology. Their practical realization however is a formidable challenge. On the one hand, the state of the respective quantum system has to be under perfect control, ideally in all degrees of freedom. This requires low decoherence, i.e. minimal interaction with the environment. But at the same time, strong, tailored interactions are required to enable all envisioned processing tasks. In this respect, single atoms and photons are the ideal building blocks of a quantum network. Atoms can act as stationary nodes as they are long-lived and their interaction with the environment is weak, while their external and internal degree of freedom can precisely be controlled and manipulated. Photons can be transmitted over larger distances using existing fiber technology and do not mutually interact.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•May 1, 2013•0 citations

Physical implementations for quantum communication in quantum networks

S. J. van Enk, J. I. Cirac, P. Zoller +2 more

Summary form only given.A quantum network where the data stored, processed, and communicated consists of quantum bits, would offer exciting possibilities including teleportation, dense coding, quantum money, secured quantum key distribution, and perhaps distributed quantum computing. But how to implement such a network? In this contribution we describe a concrete physical implementation consisting of atoms placed inside high-Q optical cavities, connected by optical fibers, that allow the atoms to communicate with each other using a cavity photon as the information carrier.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Nov 27, 2002•4 citations

Quantum networks enabled by quantum optics

Harry J. Kimble

Summary form only given. Quantum networks offer opportunities for the exploration of physical systems that have not heretofore existed in the natural world with applications to quantum computation, communication, metrology, and quantum many-body physics [1]. As illustrated in Fig. 1, a quantum network is created by generating and storing quantum states locally in quantum nodes. These nodes interact over quantum channels to enable entanglement to be spread across the network.In my presentation [2], I will provide an overview of quantum networks from formal to physical. I will discuss research at Caltech for the laboratory realization of small networks composed of atoms that interact strongly by way of single photons [3-6]. The goal is to achieve lithographic quantum optical circuits, for which atoms are trapped near microand nano-scopic dielectric structures and “wired” together by photons propagating through the circuit elements. Single atoms and atomic ensembles can endow quantum functionality for otherwise linear optical circuits and thereby the capability to build quantum networks component by component.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•May 1, 2013•1 citation

Quantum optics and cavity QED Quantum network with individual atoms and photons

Gerhard Rempe

Quantum physics allows a new approach to information processing. A grand challenge is the realization of a quantum network for long-distance quantum communication and large-scale quantum simulation. This paper highlights a first implementation of an elementary quantum network with two fibre-linked high-finesse optical resonators, each containing a single quasi-permanently trapped atom as a stationary quantum node. Reversible quantum state transfer between the two atoms and entanglement of the two atoms are achieved by the controlled exchange of a time-symmetric single photon. This approach to quantum networking is efficient and offers a clear perspective for scalability. It allows for arbitrary topologies and features controlled connectivity as well as, in principle, infinite-range interactions. Our system constitutes the largest man-made material quantum system to date and is an ideal test bed for fundamental investigations, e.g. quantum non-locality.

EPJ Web of Conferences•Jan 1, 2013•2 citations

Realization of a cavity-coupled Rydberg array

Jacopo De Santis, Balázs Dura-Kovács, Mehmet Öncü +3 more

Scalable quantum computers and quantum networks require the combination of quantum processing nodes with efficient light-matter interfaces to distribute quantum information in local or long-distance quantum networks. Neutral-atom arrays have both been coupled to Rydberg states to enable high-fidelity quantum gates in universal processing architectures, and to optical cavities to realize interfaces to photons. However, combining these two capabilities and coupling atom arrays to highly excited Rydberg states in the mode of an optical cavity has been an outstanding challenge. Here we present a novel cavity-coupled Rydberg array that achieves this long-standing goal. We prepare, detect, and control individual atoms in a scalable optical tweezer array, couple them strongly to the optical mode of a high-finesse optical cavity and excite them in a controlled way to Rydberg states. We show that high-cooperativity coupling to an optical cavity -- demonstrated via the dispersive shift of the resonance of the cavity in presence of the atoms -- and strong Rydberg interactions -- demonstrated via the collective enhancement of Rydberg coupling in the atomic array -- can be achieved in our setup at the same spatial location. Our presented experimental platform opens the path to several new directions, including the realization of quantum network nodes, quantum simulation of long-range interacting, open quantum systems and photonic-state engineering leveraging high-fidelity Rydberg control.

quant-pharXiv:2602.12152•Feb 13, 2026•0 citations
Quantum networks for the processing and distribution of quantum information could consist of quantum “nodes” for the manipulation and storage of quantum information, with these nodes linked by quantum “channels” for the transmission of quantum states. The leading proposal for the realization of such networks utilizes atoms within optical cavities as the “nodes.” Conversion of internal atomic state information into optical photons that propagate from one cavity to another forms the basis for the “channels.” Unfortunately, even in terms of laboratory “proof-of-principle” demonstrations, technical capabilities are far short of those required to implement such quantum networks. However, along the road to these ends, there lies a rich set of scientific problems that are the subject of this paper, including nonlinear optics with single atoms and photons, trapping of individual atoms within high finesse optical cavities, and teleportation of quantum states.
Summary form only given. In the quantum optics group at Caltech, we are attempting to lay the foundations for quantum information science by way of advances on several fronts in optical physics. Within the setting of cavity QED, single atoms are strongly coupled to the field of a high finesse optical cavity at the single photon level, with current work directed toward trapping and localization of atoms inside the cavity. Although there are daunting technical problems to overcome, a principal scientific objective is the creation of quantum networks to implement fundamental quantum communication protocols and for distributed quantum computation. Beyond quantum information processing with internal atomic states and photons serving as qubits, we are also investigating algorithms for continuous quantum variables. A recent example is our realization of quantum teleportation for the quadrature amplitudes of a beam of light. The experiment utilizes squeezed-state entanglement to achieve unconditional quantum teleportation.
The distribution of quantum information as well as the utilization of non-locality are at the heart of quantum networks, which show great promise for future applications like quantum communication, distributed quantum computing and quantum metrology. Their practical realization however is a formidable challenge. On the one hand, the state of the respective quantum system has to be under perfect control, ideally in all degrees of freedom. This requires low decoherence, i.e. minimal interaction with the environment. But at the same time, strong, tailored interactions are required to enable all envisioned processing tasks. In this respect, single atoms and photons are the ideal building blocks of a quantum network. Atoms can act as stationary nodes as they are long-lived and their interaction with the environment is weak, while their external and internal degree of freedom can precisely be controlled and manipulated. Photons can be transmitted over larger distances using existing fiber technology and do not mutually interact.
Summary form only given.A quantum network where the data stored, processed, and communicated consists of quantum bits, would offer exciting possibilities including teleportation, dense coding, quantum money, secured quantum key distribution, and perhaps distributed quantum computing. But how to implement such a network? In this contribution we describe a concrete physical implementation consisting of atoms placed inside high-Q optical cavities, connected by optical fibers, that allow the atoms to communicate with each other using a cavity photon as the information carrier.
Summary form only given. Quantum networks offer opportunities for the exploration of physical systems that have not heretofore existed in the natural world with applications to quantum computation, communication, metrology, and quantum many-body physics [1]. As illustrated in Fig. 1, a quantum network is created by generating and storing quantum states locally in quantum nodes. These nodes interact over quantum channels to enable entanglement to be spread across the network.In my presentation [2], I will provide an overview of quantum networks from formal to physical. I will discuss research at Caltech for the laboratory realization of small networks composed of atoms that interact strongly by way of single photons [3-6]. The goal is to achieve lithographic quantum optical circuits, for which atoms are trapped near microand nano-scopic dielectric structures and “wired” together by photons propagating through the circuit elements. Single atoms and atomic ensembles can endow quantum functionality for otherwise linear optical circuits and thereby the capability to build quantum networks component by component.
Quantum physics allows a new approach to information processing. A grand challenge is the realization of a quantum network for long-distance quantum communication and large-scale quantum simulation. This paper highlights a first implementation of an elementary quantum network with two fibre-linked high-finesse optical resonators, each containing a single quasi-permanently trapped atom as a stationary quantum node. Reversible quantum state transfer between the two atoms and entanglement of the two atoms are achieved by the controlled exchange of a time-symmetric single photon. This approach to quantum networking is efficient and offers a clear perspective for scalability. It allows for arbitrary topologies and features controlled connectivity as well as, in principle, infinite-range interactions. Our system constitutes the largest man-made material quantum system to date and is an ideal test bed for fundamental investigations, e.g. quantum non-locality.
Scalable quantum computers and quantum networks require the combination of quantum processing nodes with efficient light-matter interfaces to distribute quantum information in local or long-distance quantum networks. Neutral-atom arrays have both been coupled to Rydberg states to enable high-fidelity quantum gates in universal processing architectures, and to optical cavities to realize interfaces to photons. However, combining these two capabilities and coupling atom arrays to highly excited Rydberg states in the mode of an optical cavity has been an outstanding challenge. Here we present a novel cavity-coupled Rydberg array that achieves this long-standing goal. We prepare, detect, and control individual atoms in a scalable optical tweezer array, couple them strongly to the optical mode of a high-finesse optical cavity and excite them in a controlled way to Rydberg states. We show that high-cooperativity coupling to an optical cavity -- demonstrated via the dispersive shift of the resonance of the cavity in presence of the atoms -- and strong Rydberg interactions -- demonstrated via the collective enhancement of Rydberg coupling in the atomic array -- can be achieved in our setup at the same spatial location. Our presented experimental platform opens the path to several new directions, including the realization of quantum network nodes, quantum simulation of long-range interacting, open quantum systems and photonic-state engineering leveraging high-fidelity Rydberg control.