A Quantum Network with Atoms and Photons
Abstract
The objective of our Director's Strategic Initiative (DSI) research is to help pioneer a quantum repeater network beyond the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) environment. The long-term goal is to achieve a quantum repeater network capability for the US Army. Initially, a quantum channel between ARL and the Joint Quantum Institute (JQI) at the University of Maryland - College Park was investigated. Quantum repeaters will allow secure quantum communications to extend to distances where photon attenuation normally becomes a limiting factor, and also allow quantum information to be transmitted and stored. The incipient quantum repeater network development is based on an architecture where nodes are entangled with their nearest neighbors through photon interference, and entanglement chains are established and purified through entanglement swapping. We established a dark optical fiber link between our quantum network laboratory and a quantum laboratory at JQI. We verified that the fiber link can carry entangled photons and quantum information. We constructed the rubidium (Rb) atomic memory magneto optical trap (MOT) cell and laser controls, and developed protocols, hardware, and software to control the secure teleportation of information between quantum memories at ARL and JQI. Notably, we performed successful in-laboratory proof-of-principle photonic teleportation experiments. In this report, we present initial progress in developing the scientific underpinnings towards implementing an expandable quantum network with atoms and photons (QNET-AP) to facilitate an intra-city quantum network connecting atomic memories.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1029382
Entities
People
- Arnold D. Tunick
- Keith S. Deacon
- Patricia Lee
- Qudsia Quraishi
- Ronald E. Meyers
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory