A global quantum network with ground-based single-atom memories in optical cavities and satellite links

TL;DR

This paper proposes a satellite-based quantum repeater architecture using ground-based single-atom memories and satellite photon sources to enable high-fidelity, long-distance entanglement distribution surpassing terrestrial limits.

Contribution

It introduces a novel satellite-ground quantum repeater design with multiplexing and detailed performance analysis for intercontinental quantum communication.

Findings

Can distribute over 10,000 entangled pairs per satellite flyby over 10,000 km

Achieves entanglement fidelities above 90% over intercontinental distances

Demonstrates the impact of source fidelity and decoherence on performance

Abstract

The realization of a global quantum network holds the potential to enable groundbreaking applications such as secure quantum communication and blind quantum computing. However, building such a network remains a formidable challenge, primarily due to photon loss in optical fibers. In this work, we propose a quantum repeater architecture for distributing entanglement over intercontinental distances by leveraging low-Earth-orbit satellites equipped with spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) photon-pair sources and ground stations utilizing single-atom memories in optical cavities and single-photon detectors to implement the cavity-assisted photon scattering (CAPS) gates for high-fidelity entanglement mapping. The efficient entanglement swapping is achieved by performing high-fidelity Rydberg gates and readouts. We evaluate the entanglement distribution rates and fidelities by analyzing several key imperfections, including time-dependent two-photon transmission and time-dependent pair fidelity, for various satellite heights and ground station distances. We also investigate the impact of pair source fidelity and spin decoherence rate on the repeater performance. Furthermore, we introduce a spatial-frequency multiplexing strategy within this architecture to enhance the design's performance. Finally, we discuss in detail the practical implementation of this architecture. Our results show that this architecture enables entanglement distribution over intercontinental distances. For example, it can distribute over 10000 pairs per flyby over 10000 km with a fidelity above 90%, surpassing the capabilities of terrestrial quantum repeaters