Deterministic storage and retrieval of telecom light from a quantum dot single-photon source interfaced with an...

Area of Science:

• Quantum Information Science
• Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics
• Solid-State Physics

Background:

• Developing hybrid interfaces between solid-state quantum emitters and atomic quantum memories is crucial for advancing photonic quantum technologies.
• Efficient interfaces are needed for quantum networking and distributed quantum computing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate deterministic storage and retrieval of single photons between a semiconductor quantum dot and an atomic quantum memory.
• To achieve this interface at telecommunications wavelengths for practical applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an indium arsenide (InAs) quantum dot as the solid-state single-photon source.
• Employed a high-bandwidth rubidium (Rb) vapor-based atomic ensemble as the quantum memory.
• Characterized the storage and retrieval efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio of the quantum light field.

Main Results:

• Achieved deterministic storage and retrieval of single photons from an InAs quantum dot into a Rb vapor quantum memory.
• Demonstrated a total internal memory efficiency of (12.9 ± 0.4)%.
• Obtained a signal-to-noise ratio of 18.2 ± 0.6 for the retrieved light field, limited by detector noise.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully demonstrates a hybrid interface between semiconductor quantum dots and atomic quantum memories at telecommunications wavelengths.
• This work represents a significant step towards integrated photonic quantum technologies utilizing solid-state emitters and atomic memories.
• The achieved efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio pave the way for future quantum communication and computation applications.