(DURIP) PLASMA ETCH SYSTEM FOR LITHIUM NIOBATE QUANTUM INTERCONNECTS
Abstract
Quantum information requires scalable and highly coherent quantum bits, along with methods to interconnect them. Trapped ions form the largest and most coherent multi-qubit systems available to date [1, 2]. They support coherence times exceeding 10 minutes with high fidelity Coulomb gates that enable arbitrary qubit connectivity [3, 4]. But trapped ions quantum computers require photonic interconnects both for scaling, and for applications such as secure communication [5, 6], anonymous communication [7], distributed quantum computers [8], precision global clocks [9], and coherent imaging using quantum telescopes [10]. Such photonic interconnects must be integrated into a functional quantum network that can efficiently relay quantum signals and quantum entanglement. Ions traps are ideal for server nodes that can store and distribute quantum information using spins and photons. But in order to properly route data we require devices that can receive both quantum information in the form of qubits, and classical information in the form a header data that identifies the intended receiving node. The server must store the quantum signal while the header is being read and processed, and then quickly re-configure itself to direct the signal to the desired client. Classical networks achieve this task by converting optical to electrical signals and regenerating the optical signals after the header has been read. But quantum networks cannot use this approach because electrical to optical conversion completely destroys quantum coherence. An effective quantum routing infrastructure requires devices that can both store photons coherently, and also reconfigure the photonic device to direct the stored photon to the desired client based on the received header information. The PI is currently developing highly efficient optical routers for quantum networks based on rare-earth ions in thin film lithium niobate. These optical quantum memories can store photons coherently, alleviating the need for optical to electrical conversion while preserving the delicate entanglement with trapped ions. By incorporating these memories into lithium niobate integrated photonic structures, he is developing reconfigurable quantum routers that can operate on gigahertz timescale. The devices could ultimately store photons, then quickly reconfigure to send them to a desired receiver based on additional classical header information, the key functionality required for quantum routing infrastructure. In this DURIP we propose to acquire a deep reactive ion etch system to fabricate thin-film lithium niobate integrated photonics. The etcher will have an ultra-clean vacuum chamber in order to prevent deposition of carbon contamination on the device surface, which has created significant waveguide loss in our current devices etched using a highly contaminate system, The etcher will enable us to fabricate high quality thin film lithium niobate integrated photonic devices that act as quantum interconnects for trapped ion quantum computers, enabling them to communicate and implement advanced interactive protocols.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502210537
Entities
People
- Edo Waks
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Maryland