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Long-Distance Single Photon Transmission from a Trapped Ion via Quantum Frequency Conversion
Thomas Walker1, Koichiro Miyanishi2, Rikizo Ikuta2
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RH, United Kingdom.
Physical Review Letters
|June 5, 2018
Summary
Researchers transmitted single photons from trapped calcium ions over 10 km using frequency conversion. This breakthrough enables long-distance quantum communication and cloud quantum computation with telecommunication-ready photons.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Atomic physics
- Quantum communication
Background:
- Trapped atomic ions are excellent single photon sources with long-lived states.
- Optical cavities enhance single photon emission and control temporal shape.
- Current ion-based photon wavelengths hinder long-distance transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enable long-distance transmission of single photons from trapped ions.
- To demonstrate frequency conversion of ion-emitted photons to telecom wavelengths.
- To preserve quantum properties during transmission.
Main Methods:
- Coupling a single ^{40}Ca^{+} ion to an optical cavity.
- Frequency conversion of 866 nm photons to 1530 nm (telecom C band).
- Transmission of converted photons through a 10 km optical fiber.
Main Results:
- Successful transmission of single photons over 10 km.
- Observation of nonclassical photon statistics in direct, converted, and transmitted photons.
- Preservation of photon temporal shape after transmission.
Conclusions:
- A telecommunication-ready system for single photons from trapped ions has been developed.
- This technology is crucial for long-distance quantum communication networks.
- It also paves the way for future cloud quantum computation architectures.
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