Optomechanical Transducers for Long-Distance Quantum Communication

Abstract

We describe a new scheme to interconvert stationary and photonic qubits which is based on indirect qubit-light interactions mediated by a mechanical resonator. This approach does not rely on the specific optical response of the qubit and thereby enables optical quantum interfaces for a wide range of solid state spin and charge based systems. We discuss the implementation of state transfer protocols between distant nodes of a quantum network and show that high transfer fidelities can be achieved under realistic experimental conditions.

Non-classical correlations between single photons and phonons from a mechanical oscillator

“…Our results demonstrate the availability of on-chip solid-state mechanical resonators as light-matter quantum interfaces. The performance we achieved will enable studies of macroscopic quantum phenomena [8] as well as applications in quantum communication [9], as quantum memories [10] and as quantum transducers [11,12].Over the past few years, nanomechanical devices have been discussed as possible building blocks for quantum information architectures [9,13]. Their unique feature is that they combine an engineerable solid-state platform on the nanoscale with the possibility to coherently interact with a variety of physical quantum systems including electronic or nuclear spins, single charges, and photons [14,15].…”

“…Our results demonstrate the availability of on-chip solid-state mechanical resonators as light-matter quantum interfaces. The performance we achieved will enable studies of macroscopic quantum phenomena [8] as well as applications in quantum communication [9], as quantum memories [10] and as quantum transducers [11,12].…”

“…Further progress in quantum state control has mainly been limited to the domain of electromechanical devices, in which mechanical motion couples to superconducting circuits in the form of qubits and microwave cavities [15]. Recent achievements include single-phonon control of a micromechanical resonator by a superconducting flux qubit [16], the generation of quantum entanglement between quadratures of a microwave cavity field and micromechanical motion [20], * This work was published in Nature 530, 313-316 (2016 Interfacing mechanics with optical photons in the quantum regime is highly desirable because it adds important features such as the ability to transfer mechanical excitations over long distances [9,24]. In addition, the available toolbox of single-photon generation and detection allows for remote quantum state control [7].…”

“…Over the past few years, nanomechanical devices have been discussed as possible building blocks for quantum information architectures [9,13]. Their unique feature is that they combine an engineerable solid-state platform on the nanoscale with the possibility to coherently interact with a variety of physical quantum systems including electronic or nuclear spins, single charges, and photons [14,15].…”

“…Interfacing mechanics with optical photons in the quantum regime is highly desirable because it adds important features such as the ability to transfer mechanical excitations over long distances [9,24]. In addition, the available toolbox of single-photon generation and detection allows for remote quantum state control [7].…”