Doubly-ionized lanthanum as a qubit candidate for quantum networks

TL;DR

This paper proposes doubly-ionized lanthanum (La$^{2+}$) as a promising qubit candidate for quantum networks, leveraging its infrared transitions for efficient matter-light interfaces and potential for long-distance quantum communication.

Contribution

It introduces La$^{2+}$ as a novel qubit candidate with unique properties suitable for quantum networking applications.

Findings

Infrared transitions enable direct matter-light interface.

Rich hyperfine structure allows for magnetic-field insensitive qubits.

Potential for atom-photon entanglement protocols.

Abstract

We propose doubly-ionized lanthanum (La$^{2+}$) as a possible qubit candidate for quantum networks. Transitions between the lowest levels in the atom are in the infrared, enabling a direct matter-light interface amenable to long-distance quantum communication. These transitions could also be used to directly laser-cool trapped La$^{2+}$ ions. The rich hyperfine structure of the ion may allow for a qubit stored in magnetic-field insensitive states, as well as protocols for atom-photon entanglement.