Toward an ion-photon quantum interface in an optical cavity

TL;DR

This paper reports on the development of a foundational ion-photon interface using a trapped calcium ion in an optical cavity, demonstrating key quantum control and photon generation capabilities.

Contribution

It presents the experimental realization of an ion-photon interface with measured system parameters and coherent control of atomic states within an optical cavity.

Findings

Successful measurement of cavity-assisted Raman transitions.

Generation of orthogonally polarized cavity photons.

Demonstration of coherent manipulation of atomic states.

Abstract

We demonstrate several building blocks for an ion-photon interface based on a trapped Ca ion in an optical cavity. We identify a favorable experimental configuration and measure system parameters, including relative motion of the trapped ion and the resonator mode. A complete spectrum of cavity-assisted Raman transitions between the $4^{2}S_{1/2}$ and $3^{2}D_{5/2}$ manifolds is obtained. On two of these transitions, we generate orthogonally polarized cavity photons, and we demonstrate coherent manipulation of the corresponding pair of atomic states. Possible implementations of atom-photon entanglement and state mapping within the ion-cavity system are discussed.