Efficient Quantum Frequency Conversion of Ultra-Violet Single Photons from a Trapped Ytterbium Ion

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates an efficient quantum frequency conversion process for UV photons emitted by trapped Yb+ ions into visible light, advancing the development of long-distance quantum networks using Yb+ ions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel difference-frequency conversion technique for UV photons from Yb+ ions, enabling their use in quantum networks.

Findings

Successful UV to visible photon conversion confirmed experimentally.

Converted photons originate from Yb+ ions, verified by emission characteristics.

Paves the way for long-distance quantum communication with Yb+ ions.

Abstract

Ion trap system is a leading candidate for quantum network privileged by its long coherence time, high-fidelity gate operations, and the ion-photon entanglement that generates an ideal pair of a stationary memory qubit and a flying communication qubit. Rapid developments in nonlinear quantum frequency conversion techniques have enhanced the potential for constructing a trapped ion quantum network via optical fiber connections. The generation of long-distance entanglement has been demonstrated with ions such as Ca$^{+}$ and Ba$^{+}$, which emit photons in visible or near-infrared range naturally. On the other hand, as the qubit-native photons reside in ultra-violet (UV) spectrum, the Yb$^{+}$ ion has not been considered as a strong competitor for telecommunication qubits despite extensive research on it. Here, we demonstrate an efficient difference-frequency conversion of UV photons, emitted from a trapped Yb$^{+}$ ion, into a visible range. We provide experimental evidence that confirms the converted photons are radiated from the Yb$^{+}$ ion. Our results provide a crucial step toward realizing a long-distance trapped ion quantum network based on Yb$^{+}$ ions through quantum frequency conversion.