We propose a scheme to realize quantum networking of superconducting qubits based on the opto-mechanical interface. The superconducting qubits interact with the microwave photons, which then couple to the optical photons through the opto-mechanical interface. The interface generates a quantum link between superconducting qubits and optical flying qubits with tunable pulse shapes and carrier frequencies, enabling transmission of quantum information to other superconducting or atomic qubits. We show that the scheme works under realistic experimental conditions and it also provides a way for fast initialization of the superconducting qubits under 1 K instead of 20 mK operation temperature.
We propose to create and detect opto-mechanical entanglement by storing one component of an entangled state of light in a mechanical resonator and then retrieving it. Using micro-macro entanglement of light as recently demonstrated experimentally, one can then create opto-mechanical entangled states where the components of the superposition are macroscopically different. We apply this general approach to two-mode squeezed states where one mode has undergone a large displacement. Based on an analysis of the relevant experimental imperfections, the scheme appears feasible with current technology.
In this review, we discuss recent experiments that investigate how the quantum sate of a superconducting qubit evolves during measurement. We provide a pedagogical overview of the measurement process, when the qubit is dispersively coupled to a microwave frequency cavity, and the qubit state is encoded in the phase of a microwave tone that probes the cavity. A continuous measurement record is used to reconstruct the individual quantum trajectories of the qubit state, and quantum state tomography is performed to verify that the state has been tracked accurately. Furthermore, we discuss ensembles of trajectories, time-symmetric evolution, two-qubit trajectories, and potential applications in measurement-based quantum error correction.
The quantum state of light changes its nature when being reflected off a mechanical oscillator due to the latters susceptibility to radiation pressure. As a result, a coherent state can transform into a squeezed state and can get entangled with the motion of the oscillator. The complete tomographic reconstruction of the state of light requires the ability to readout arbitrary quadratures. Here we demonstrate such a readout by applying a balanced homodyne detector to an interferometric position measurement of a thermally excited high-Q silicon nitride membrane in a Michelson-Sagnac interferometer. A readout noise of $unit{1.9 cdot 10^{-16}}{metre/sqrt{hertz}}$ around the membranes fundamental oscillation mode at $unit{133}{kilohertz}$ has been achieved, going below the peak value of the standard quantum limit by a factor of 8.2 (9 dB). The readout noise was entirely dominated by shot noise in a rather broad frequency range around the mechanical resonance.
Quantum networks require functional nodes consisting of stationary registers with the capability of high-fidelity quantum processing and storage, which efficiently interface with photons propagating in an optical fiber. We report a significant step towards realization of such nodes using a diamond nanocavity with an embedded silicon-vacancy (SiV) color center and a proximal nuclear spin. Specifically, we show that efficient SiV-cavity coupling (with cooperativity $C >30$) provides a nearly-deterministic interface between photons and the electron spin memory, featuring coherence times exceeding one millisecond. Employing coherent microwave control, we demonstrate heralded single photon storage in the long-lived spin memory as well as a universal control over a cavity-coupled two-qubit register consisting of a SiV and a proximal $^{mathrm{13}}$C nuclear spin with nearly second-long coherence time, laying the groundwork for implementing quantum repeaters.
The ability to coherently control mechanical systems with optical fields has made great strides over the past decade, and now includes the use of photon counting techniques to detect the non-classical nature of mechanical states. These techniques may soon be used to perform an opto-mechanical Bell test, hence highlighting the potential of cavity opto-mechanics for device-independent quantum information processing. Here, we propose a witness which reveals opto-mechanical entanglement without any constraint on the global detection efficiencies in a setup allowing one to test a Bell inequality. While our witness relies on a well-defined description and correct experimental calibration of the measurements, it does not need a detailed knowledge of the functioning of the opto-mechanical system. A feasibility study including dominant sources of noise and loss shows that it can readily be used to reveal opto-mechanical entanglement in present-day experiments with photonic crystal nanobeam resonators.