Rydberg-Optical cQED: A Path to Robust Photonic Quantum Devices
Abstract
The overll objective of the proposed research is to combine cavity quantum electrodynamics (cQED) and Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency to create a new platform for realizing state-of-the-art optical devices capable of generating and manipulating small photonic quantum states with high fidelity. Specific objectives include the exploration and development of: 1. Low loss, high-fidelity quantum non-demolition (QND) detectors of collective atomic excitations (magnons) 2. High-efficiency, certified (heralded) on-demand single photon source achieved via quantum non-destructive detection of a collective atomic excitation created via Rydberg blockade. 3. High-efficiency, certified quantum memory for photons, achieved via adiabatic conversion of a photon into a collective atomic excitation, and subsequent non-destructive detection of the excitation via Rydberg blockade. The proposed approach combines strong atomic nonlinearities necessary to prepare/entangle/detect individual quanta and perform gates with the high optical depth that is essential for efficiently interfacing flying photons with stationary atomic samples. Building upon previous work demonstrating high fidelity light-matter interfaces and research combining strong collective- and single-atom coupling, the approach here will harness a high-finesse optical resonator containing laser-cooled 87Rb atoms, in conjunction with Rydberg EIT, to realize strongly-coupled single-mode quantum devices. A four-mirror optical resonator with a small 14 µm waist, small enough that Rydberg interactions can dominate across the entire atomic sample, will be utilized. This experimental setup places the system in the regime of a single strongly-coupled super-atom, essential for a single photon nonlinearity. Photons are proposed to be stored and processed as collective hyperfine excitations (magnons); providing the capability to efficiently and non-destructively detect the existence of a magnon.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2017
- Source ID
- W911NF1510620
Entities
People
- Jonathan Simon
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- University of Chicago