Quantum-enabled temporal and spectral mode conversion of microwave signals

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel device that can arbitrarily manipulate the temporal and spectral properties of microwave signals, facilitating quantum microwave networks and non-classical state preparation.

Contribution

It introduces a flexible aluminum drumhead device that enables arbitrary spectral and temporal mode conversion of microwave signals for quantum information processing.

Findings

Successful manipulation of microwave signal modes.

Potential for building quantum microwave networks.

Enabling non-classical state preparation.

Abstract

Electromagnetic waves are ideal candidates for transmitting information in a quantum network as they can be routed rapidly and efficiently between locations using optical fibers or microwave cables. Yet linking quantum-enabled devices with cables has proved difficult because most cavity or circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED) systems used in quantum information processing can only absorb and emit signals with a specific frequency and temporal envelope. Here we show that the temporal and spectral content of microwave-frequency electromagnetic signals can be arbitrarily manipulated with a flexible aluminum drumhead embedded in a microwave circuit. The aluminum drumhead simultaneously forms a mechanical oscillator and a tunable capacitor. This device offers a way to build quantum microwave networks using separate and otherwise mismatched components. Furthermore, it will enable the preparation of non-classical states of motion by capturing non-classical microwave signals prepared by the most coherent circuit QED systems.