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A parametrically programmable delay line for microwave photons
Takuma Makihara1, Nathan Lee2, Yudan Guo2
1Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA. makihara@stanford.edu.
Nature Communications
|May 31, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a novel parametrically controlled delay line for microwave photons, enabling precise manipulation of quantum information. This advancement is key for developing better quantum repeaters and quantum computers with high hardware efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Quantum information science
- Microwave photonics
- Quantum computing hardware
Background:
- Delay lines are essential for quantum information storage, crucial for quantum repeaters and efficient quantum computers.
- Traditional delay lines offer limited control over propagating fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel parametrically addressed delay line for microwave photons.
- To achieve high-level control over stored quantum pulses.
Main Methods:
- Parametrically driving a three-wave mixing circuit hybridized with resonators.
- Engineering a spectral response to simulate a physical delay line.
- Utilizing pulse energies on the order of a single photon.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated precise control over microwave photon pulses, including selecting photon echoes and temporal translation.
- Successfully performed pulse swapping operations.
- Measured parametric interaction noise to be significantly less than one photon.
Conclusions:
- The developed parametrically addressed delay line offers unprecedented control for quantum information processing.
- This technology paves the way for more advanced quantum repeaters and hardware-efficient quantum computers.
- Low added noise ensures high fidelity of quantum operations.
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