Perspectives on quantum transduction

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in quantum transduction between microwave and optical photons, highlighting approaches, metrics, and future challenges crucial for quantum communication and processing.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of leading methods for microwave-optical quantum transduction, emphasizing atomic ensembles, opto-electromechanics, and electro-optics.

Findings

Progress in transduction efficiency and fidelity

Identification of key challenges for practical implementation

Comparison of different transduction approaches

Abstract

Quantum transduction, the process of converting quantum signals from one form of energy to another, is an important area of quantum science and technology. The present perspective article reviews quantum transduction between microwave and optical photons, an area that has recently seen a lot of activity and progress because of its relevance for connecting superconducting quantum processors over long distances, among other applications. Our review covers the leading approaches to achieving such transduction, with an emphasis on those based on atomic ensembles, opto-electromechanics, and electro-optics. We briefly discuss relevant metrics from the point of view of different applications, as well as challenges for the future.