Microwave-to-optical quantum link

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Quantum engineering builds upon two of the most influential developments of the last century: information technology and quantum science. Spectacular advances in atomic physics, nanotechnology, and material science allow to control the quantum state of atoms, microscopic and mesoscopic spins, electrical circuits, and mechanical oscillators with individual photons, electrons or phonons. Today's major challenge is the design and coherent control of hybrid quantum networks. One of the most advanced solid-state systems for processing quantum information is based on integrated superconducting circuits coupled and manipulated with microwave photons. While electrical circuits are ideally suited for fast logical operations and state synthesis, optical photons are the only realistic candidates for quantum communication due to their weak interaction with the environment, large bandwidth of transmission, and resiliency to thermal noise. A coherent transducer between the microwave and the optical domains will therefore bring together the advantages of the most promising systems. It represents a cornerstone technology to overcome the limitations of state-of-the-art quantum engineered systems. The main scientific objective of this project is to develop the first fiber-optic transceiver for superconducting qubits. We will use it to generate and up-convert weak microwave signals to the optical domain. The converter will be based on the parametrically enhanced electro-optomechanical coupling between a telecom wavelength photonic crystal cavity and a microwave frequency superconducting resonator. While conceptually similar to an acousto-optic modulator, this type of converter is operated at a temperature of only 0.01 degrees above absolute zero, it's mechanical occupation is close to the quantum ground state and it achieves effective optical modulation with only a single microwave photon per resonator lifetime.