No Arabic abstract
The ability to coherently spectrally manipulate quantum information has the potential to improve qubit rates across quantum channels and find applications in optical quantum computing. In this paper we present experiments that use a multi-element solenoid combined with the three-level gradient echo memory scheme to perform precision spectral manipulation of optical pulses. These operations include bandwidth and frequency manipulation, spectral filtering of separate frequency components, as well as time-delayed interference between pulses with both the same, and different, frequencies. These operations have potential uses in quantum information applications.
We examine coherent memory manipulation in a $Lambda$-type medium, using the second order solution presented by Groves, Clader and Eberly [J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 46, 224005 (2013)] as a guide. The analytical solution obtained using the Darboux transformation and a nonlinear superposition principle describes complicated soliton-pulse dynamics which, by an appropriate choice of parameters, can be simplified to a well-defined sequence of pulses interacting with the medium. In this report, this solution is reviewed and put to test by means of a series of numerical simulations, encompassing all the parameter space and adding the effects of homogeneous broadening due to spontaneous emission. We find that even though the decohered results deviate from the analytical prediction they do follow a similar trend that could be used as a guide for future experiments.
Quantum memory is the core device for the construction of large-scale quantum networks. For scalable and convenient practical applications, integrated optical memories, especially on-chip optical memories, are crucial requirements because they can be easily integrated with other on-chip devices. Here, we report the coherent optical memory based on a type-IV waveguide fabricated on the surface of a rare-earth ion-doped crystal (i.e. $mathrm{Eu^{3+}}$:$mathrm{Y_2SiO_5}$). The properties of the optical transition ($mathrm{{^7}F{_0}rightarrow{^5}D{_0}}$) of the $mathrm{Eu^{3+}}$ ions inside the surface waveguide are well preserved compared to those of the bulk crystal. Spin-wave atomic frequency comb storage is demonstrated inside the type-IV waveguide. The reliability of this device is confirmed by the high interference visibility of ${97pm 1%}$ between the retrieval pulse and the reference pulse. The developed on-chip optical memory paves the way towards integrated quantum nodes.
The optimal discrimination of non-orthogonal quantum states with minimum error probability is a fundamental task in quantum measurement theory as well as an important primitive in optical communication. In this work, we propose and experimentally realize a new and simple quantum measurement strategy capable of discriminating two coherent states with smaller error probabilities than can be obtained using the standard measurement devices; the Kennedy receiver and the homodyne receiver.
Maximally entangled photon pairs with a spatial degree of freedom is a potential way for realizing high-capacity quantum computing and communication. However, methods to generate such entangled states with high quality, high brightness, and good controllability are needed. Here, a scheme is experimentally demonstrated that generates spatially maximally entangled photon pairs with an orbital angular momentum degree of freedom via spontaneous parametric down-conversion in a nonlinear crystal. Compared with existing methods using post-selection, the technique can directly modulate the spatial spectrum of down-converted photon pairs by engineering the input pump beam. In addition, the relative phase between spatially entangled photon pairs can be easily manipulated by preparing the relative phase of input pump states.
A major challenge in the field of quantum computing is the construction of scalable qubit coupling architectures. Here, we demonstrate a novel tuneable coupling circuit that allows superconducting qubits to be coupled over long distances. We show that the inter-qubit coupling strength can be arbitrarily tuned over nanosecond timescales within a sequence that mimics actual use in an algorithm. The coupler has a measured on/off ratio of 1000. The design is self-contained and physically separate from the qubits, allowing the coupler to be used as a module to connect a variety of elements such as qubits, resonators, amplifiers, and readout circuitry over long distances. Such design flexibility is likely to be essential for a scalable quantum computer.