Skip to Content
Merck
  • Downconversion quantum interface for a single quantum dot spin and 1550-nm single-photon channel.

Downconversion quantum interface for a single quantum dot spin and 1550-nm single-photon channel.

Optics express (2012-12-25)
Jason S Pelc, Leo Yu, Kristiaan De Greve, Peter L McMahon, Chandra M Natarajan, Vahid Esfandyarpour, Sebastian Maier, Christian Schneider, Martin Kamp, Sven Höfling, Robert H Hadfield, Alfred Forchel, Yoshihisa Yamamoto, M M Fejer
ABSTRACT

Long-distance quantum communication networks require appropriate interfaces between matter qubit-based nodes and low-loss photonic quantum channels. We implement a downconversion quantum interface, where the single photons emitted from a semiconductor quantum dot at 910 nm are downconverted to 1560 nm using a fiber-coupled periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide and a 2.2-μm pulsed pump laser. The single-photon character of the quantum dot emission is preserved during the downconversion process: we measure a cross-correlation g(2)(τ = 0) = 0.17 using resonant excitation of the quantum dot. We show that the downconversion interface is fully compatible with coherent optical control of the quantum dot electron spin through the observation of Rabi oscillations in the downconverted photon counts. These results represent a critical step towards a long-distance hybrid quantum network in which subsystems operating at different wavelengths are connected through quantum frequency conversion devices and 1.5-μm quantum channels.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Lithium niobate, 99.9% trace metals basis
Niobium, IRMM®, certified reference material, 0.5 mm wire
Niobium, IRMM®, certified reference material, 0.02 mm foil
Niobium, IRMM®, certified reference material, 0.02 mm foil
Sigma-Aldrich
Niobium, foil, thickness 0.25 mm, 99.8% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Niobium, powder, <45 μm, 99.8% trace metals basis
Niobium, IRMM®, certified reference material, 0.5 mm wire