An atomic interface between microwave and optical photons

TL;DR

This paper proposes a unified quantum interface that coherently connects microwave and optical photons using ultracold atomic ensembles, enabling quantum information transfer between superconducting qubits and optical networks.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining atomic ensembles and coherent control to transduce and store quantum information across microwave and optical domains.

Findings

Demonstrates potential for connecting superconducting qubits with optical communication channels.

Provides a method for converting and storing quantum states between microwave and optical photons.

Outlines a technique for transferring quantum information between resonators.

Abstract

A complete physical approach to quantum information requires a robust interface among flying qubits, long-lifetime memory and computational qubits. Here we present a unified interface for microwave and optical photons, potentially connecting engineerable quantum devices such as superconducting qubits at long distances through optical photons. Our approach uses an ultracold ensemble of atoms for two purposes: quantum memory and to transduce excitations between the two frequency domains. Using coherent control techniques, we examine an approach for converting and storing quantum information between microwave photons in superconducting resonators, ensembles of ultracold atoms, and optical photons as well as a method for transferring information between two resonators.