EFRI ACQUIRE: Development of scalable quantum networks using ion chips and integrated photonics

摘要：非技术描述：利用量子力学系统传输和处理信息提供了比经典方法更基本的优势，对通信、网络、计算机科学和基础量子物理领域产生了根本性的影响。一个开创性的例子是量子网络。与传统的通信网络相比，量子网络使用单个原子和单个光子等量子物体来存储和传输信息。通过这样做，量子网络可以以无条件安全和匿名的方式进行通信，也可以将量子计算机互连起来，形成量子互联网。但实现这些技术能力需要在保持系统微妙量子状态的同时存储和传输量子信息的能力。困在电场中的离子构成了迄今为止最好的量子存储器。它们可以存储超过几十分钟的量子信息，也可以发射单光子，这是量子信息的理想载体，与量子存储器纠缠在一起。但是，在捕获离子量子网络成为现实之前，仍然存在许多重大挑战。离子发射可见光和紫外线波长的光子，这与光纤网络不兼容。这些光子还必须在不破坏它们所携带的微妙量子信号的情况下进行高效处理。在这个项目中，我们将结合硅片陷阱和集成光子学来克服这些挑战。如果成功，该项目将为可扩展和高效的量子网络提供核心硬件，该网络可以以前所未有的速度和距离处理和传输量子信息。技术摘要：通过将集成光子学与硅基离子芯片陷阱相结合，我们将开发基于紧凑的、芯片集成的量子硬件在室温下工作的可扩展量子网络技术。俘获离子是目前量子信息处理的主要平台，相干时间超过几十分钟。它们也是为数不多的难以区分的单光子室温源之一，可以表现出光子介导量子相互作用所需的双光子干涉效应。该计划将利用微型制造的离子芯片陷阱来组装和操纵硅芯片上的原子离子链，作为高效的室温单光子源和长寿命的量子存储器。集成光子结构将处理来自多个离子阱的光子，以前所未有的效率和保真度介导远距离量子相互作用。集成非线性光子器件进一步将捕获离子发射的光子转换为电信波长，用于长距离光纤传播。该项目将在实际的光网络中部署和演示紧凑型量子器件。这个高度跨学科的项目最终旨在展示量子网络的基本操作，该网络可用于纠缠分布，量子纠错以及量子信息和量子密钥的分布。

Abstract title: EFRI ACQUIRE: Development of scalable quantum networks using ion chips and integrated photonicsAbstract:Nontechnical description: Utilizing quantum mechanical systems to transmit and process information provides a fundamental advantage over classical approaches, with foundational impact on the fields of communication, networking, computer science, and fundamental quantum physics. A seminal example is the quantum network. In contrast to a classical communication networks, a quantum network stores and transmits information using quantum objects such as single atoms and single photons. By doing so, a quantum network can communicate with unconditional security and anonymity, and can also interconnect quantum computers to form a quantum internet. But realizing these technological capabilities requires the ability to store and transmit quantum information while preserving the delicate quantum state of the system. Ions trapped in electric fields constitute the best quantum memory to date. They can store quantum information for times exceeding tens of minutes, and can also emit single photons, the ideal carriers of quantum information that are entangled with quantum memory. But a number of significant challenges remain before a trapped-ion quantum network can become a reality. Ions emit visible- and ultraviolet-wavelength photons that are not compatible with fiber-optic networks. These photons must also be processed with high efficiency without destroying the delicate quantum signals that they carry. In this program, we will combine silicon-chip traps and integrated photonics to overcome these challenges. If successful, this project will provide the core hardware for a scalable and efficient quantum network that can process and transmit quantum information with unprecedented speed and distance.Technical abstract: By combining integrated photonics with silicon-based ion-chip traps, we will develop the technology for scalable quantum networks based on compact, chip-integrated quantum hardware operating at room temperature. Trapped ions are currently the leading platform for quantum information processing, with coherence times exceeding tens of minutes. They are also one of the few room-temperature sources of indistinguishable single photons that can exhibit the two-photon interference effects required for photon-mediated quantum interactions. The program will utilize micro-fabricated ion-chip traps to assemble and manipulate atomic ion chains on a silicon chip that serve as both efficient room-temperature single-photon sources and long-lived quantum memories. Integrated photonic structures will process photons originating from multiple ion traps to mediate long-distance quantum interactions at unprecedented efficiencies and fidelities. Integrated nonlinear photonic devices will furthermore convert photons emitted by trapped ions to telecom wavelengths for long-distance fiber propagation. The project will deploy and demonstrate compact quantum devices in a practical optical network. This highly multi-disciplinary program ultimately aims to demonstrate the fundamental operations of a quantum network, which can be used for entanglement distribution, quantum error correction, and distribution of quantum information and quantum keys.