Coupling of a quantum memory and telecommunication wavelength photons for high-rate entanglement distribution in quantum repeaters

TL;DR

This paper presents a method to efficiently couple quantum memories with telecommunication-wavelength photons using frequency stabilization, which enhances entanglement distribution rates for long-distance quantum communication.

Contribution

A novel frequency stabilization technique enabling coupling of a Pr:YSO quantum memory with telecom photons for quantum repeaters.

Findings

Successful coupling of quantum memory with telecom photons.

Enhanced entanglement generation rate demonstrated.

Method applicable to long-distance quantum communication.

Abstract

Quantum repeaters are indispensable tools for long-distance quantum communication. However, frequency matching between entangled photon sources and remote quantum memories (QMs) is difficult, which is an obstacle to the implementation of quantum repeaters. In this paper, we demonstrate a method to achieve the coupling of a Pr:YSO as a fixed-time QM with a single telecommunication-wavelength photon through frequency stabilization using an optical frequency comb over all applied laser wavelengths. The demonstrated method can lead to the implementation of a quantum repeater scheme enabling an improvement of the entanglement generation rate, paving the way for long-distance quantum communication.