Storage and processing of telecom photonic quantum states using erbium-doped media and integrated photonics
Abstract
The overarching goal of this research is to develop on-chip quantum light-matter interfaces (QLMI) for storage and processing of quantum states of light. These devices will be based on silicon photonic chips coupled to rare-earth ensembles (i.e. erbium). Depending on how the device is configured it can act either as a quantum memory for storage and retrieval of photons, or more generally as a processor for spectral and temporal manipulations of photonic states. These QLMIs are essential components for implementing optical quantum networks for quantum communications. Quantum networks can provide absolutely secure communications over classical communications channels and can interconnect future quantum computers, the main reasons why DoD should invest in this technology. Quantum computing could bring a completely new paradigm in computation that promises to speed up solving certain mathematical problems and enable quantum simulation of new materials. For the past three years, we have demonstrated on-chip optical quantum memories based on materials like yttrium orthosilicate doped with erbium and other rare-earths. Towards merging our quantum memory technology with silicon photonics, we have demonstrated integration of rare-earth-doped materials with silicon waveguides and resonators. In this research we will first demonstrate optical quantum memories in a silicon photonics platform. Then, quantum memories will be integrated with electronic control that allow for deterministic control of the emitted photon frequency, bandwidth, temporal waveform, and release time. Then the memory storage time will be improved by orders of magnitude by storing in the hyperfine states. This is based on the recent demonstration that the hyperfine states of erbium can have coherence times more than one second, which enables storage of quantum states for longer than it takes light in fibers to travel around the Earth. This is crucial for optical quantum interconnects between any two points.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 11, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501810374
Entities
People
- Andrei Faraon
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- California Institute of Technology
- United States Air Force