'Free-Space' Photonic Quantum Link and Chiral Quantum Optics

TL;DR

This paper proposes a free-space chiral photonic quantum link using atomic arrays as phased-array antennas, enabling unidirectional photon exchange for quantum networks without cavities or nanostructures.

Contribution

It introduces a novel free-space quantum link design utilizing laser-assisted coupling to atomic arrays for chiral photon exchange, advancing quantum network architectures.

Findings

High-fidelity quantum state transfer demonstrated.

Feasible implementation with Rydberg-dressed neutral atoms.

Provides a cavity-free quantum communication platform.

Abstract

We present the design of a chiral photonic quantum link, where distant atoms interact by exchanging photons propagating in a single direction in free-space. This is achieved by coupling each atom in a laser-assisted process to an atomic array acting as a quantum phased-array antenna. This provides a basic building block for quantum networks in free space, i.e. without requiring cavities or nanostructures, which we illustrate with high-fidelity quantum state transfer protocols. Our setup can be implemented with neutral atoms using Rydberg-dressed interactions.