Multifunctional on-chip storage at telecommunication wavelength for quantum networks

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates an integrated quantum memory platform using erbium ions in yttrium orthosilicate coupled with silicon photonics, enabling on-chip storage, frequency control, and bandwidth manipulation of telecommunication wavelength photons for quantum networks.

Contribution

It introduces a novel on-chip quantum memory device with dynamic control of storage time, frequency shifting, and bandwidth, advancing integrated quantum photonics for telecom applications.

Findings

Achieved digital control of memory time in 50 ns steps.

Demonstrated frequency shifting of over 39 MHz.

Increased bandwidth from 6 MHz to 18 MHz.

Abstract

Quantum networks will enable a variety of applications, from secure communication and precision measurements to distributed quantum computing. Storing photonic qubits and controlling their frequency, bandwidth and retrieval time are important functionalities in future optical quantum networks. Here we demonstrate these functions using an ensemble of erbium ions in yttrium orthosilicate coupled to a silicon photonic resonator and controlled via on-chip electrodes. Light in the telecommunication C-band is stored, manipulated and retrieved using a dynamic atomic frequency comb protocol controlled by linear DC Stark shifts of the ion ensemble's transition frequencies. We demonstrate memory time control in a digital fashion in increments of 50 ns, frequency shifting by more than a pulse-width ($\pm39$ MHz), and a bandwidth increase by a factor of three, from 6 MHz to 18 MHz. Using on-chip electrodes, electric fields as high as 3 kV/cm were achieved with a low applied bias of 5 V, making this an appealing platform for rare earth ions, which experience Stark shifts of the order of 10 kHz/(V/cm).