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Area of Science:

  • Quantum Information Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Solid-State Physics

Background:

  • Electrical-to-optical signal conversion is fundamental to modern communication.
  • Quantum networking requires efficient conversion of quantum states between different physical systems, such as superconducting qubits and photons.
  • Previous efforts have not successfully maintained fragile quantum states during microwave-to-optical conversion for superconducting qubits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate the conversion of microwave excitations from a superconducting qubit (transmon) into an optical photon.
  • To establish a method for interfacing superconducting quantum processors with optical systems.
  • To lay the groundwork for hybrid quantum networks and distributed quantum computing.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an intermediary nanomechanical resonator to bridge the microwave and optical domains.
  • Employed piezoelectric interaction to convert the qubit's microwave excitation into a phonon (a quantum of mechanical vibration).
  • Used radiation pressure to convert the phonon into an optical photon, detected via single-photon detection.

Main Results:

  • Successfully demonstrated the conversion of a transmon qubit's excitation into an optical photon.
  • Observed quantum Rabi oscillations of the qubit by detecting the emitted single photons over an optical fiber.
  • Verified the quantum nature of the generated optical signal.

Conclusions:

  • Achieved a significant milestone in quantum transduction by converting superconducting qubit excitations to optical photons.
  • The developed quantum transducer holds potential for realizing hybrid quantum networks and distributed quantum computers.
  • Further improvements in device design and measurement setups could enhance the efficiency and applicability of this technology.