Title: NIST Develops Quantum Networking with Trapped Ions
1. Quantum Networking with Trapped Ions
NIST researchers are developing quantum networking technology using trapped ions and telecom photons. The goal is to create long-distance entanglement between trapped ion qubits in separate quantum network nodes using 1550 nm photons as flying qubits.
2. Key Technical Points
– Trapped ions make excellent stationary qubits due to their long coherence times, high control/readout fidelity, and ability to be entangled with other ions
– Fiber Fabry-Pérot cavities integrated into surface-electrode ion traps are used to generate high-fidelity, high-rate entanglement between Ca+ ions and 854 nm photons
– 854 nm photons are then coherently converted to 1550 nm photons using difference frequency generation
– 1550 nm photons are used as long-distance information carriers
– Bell state measurements of 1550 nm photons from separate network nodes can be used to generate heralded remote entanglement between the ion qubits in those nodes
3. Potential Impact
– Enables distributed quantum computing
– Enhances long-baseline interferometry
– Allows transmission of complex quantum states
– Facilitates various other quantum network applications
4. Implementation
– Each quantum network node contains a fiber Fabry-Pérot cavity integrated into a surface-electrode ion trap
– High-fidelity entanglement is generated between Ca+ ions and 854 nm photons
– 854 nm photons are converted to 1550 nm photons for long-distance transmission
– Bell state measurements of 1550 nm photons enable remote entanglement between ion qubits in separate nodes
5. Current Status
– Research is ongoing at NIST
– Builds on previous work from other groups demonstrating short-range remote entanglement of trapped ion qubits, entanglement between ions and telecom photons, and coupling ions/atoms to fiber Fabry-Pérot cavities
Source: https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/quantum-networking-trapped-ions
Keywords: Entanglement, Quantum, Photons, Ion, Qubits
