Nuclear quantum memory for hard x-ray photon wave packets

Area of Science:

• Quantum optics
• X-ray science
• Solid-state physics

Background:

• Optical quantum memories are crucial for quantum technologies but are limited to optical wavelengths.
• Advancements in x-ray quantum optics enable extending quantum memory protocols to ultrashort wavelengths.
• This establishes the foundation for quantum photonics at x-ray energies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel x-ray quantum memory protocol.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of quantum information storage and retrieval at hard x-ray energies.
• To establish a room-temperature solid-state platform for x-ray quantum memory.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing mechanically driven nuclear resonant 57Fe absorbers.
• Creating a nuclear absorption spectrum comb structure via the Doppler effect.
• Employing mechanical motions for precise control of x-ray photon wave packets.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a room-temperature nuclear frequency comb for x-ray absorbers.
• Achieved high accuracy and fidelity in controlling x-ray photon wave packet waveforms.
• Developed a tunable, robust, and flexible system for x-ray quantum memory.

Conclusions:

• The developed protocol establishes quantum photonics at x-ray energies.
• This system offers a versatile platform for compact, solid-state quantum memory at room temperature.
• The method enables precise waveform control of x-ray photon wave packets using mechanical motion.