An elementary quantum network of single atoms in optical cavities

Article

关键词: ENTANGLEMENT DISTRIBUTION;    LINEAR OPTICS;    ENSEMBLES;    MEMORY;    COMMUNICATION;    TRANSITIONS;    INFORMATION;    REPEATERS;    INTERFACE;    DISTANCE;   

DOI  :  10.1038/nature11023

来源: SCIE

【 摘 要 】

Quantum networks are distributed quantum many-body systems with tailored topology and controlled information exchange. They are the backbone of distributed quantum computing architectures and quantum communication. Here we present a prototype of such a quantum network based on single atoms embedded in optical cavities. We show that atom-cavity systems form universal nodes capable of sending, receiving, storing and releasing photonic quantum information. Quantum connectivity between nodes is achieved in the conceptually most fundamental way-by the coherent exchange of a single photon. We demonstrate the faithful transfer of an atomic quantum state and the creation of entanglement between two identical nodes in separate laboratories. The non-local state that is created is manipulated by local quantum bit (qubit) rotation. This efficient cavity-based approach to quantum networking is particularly promising because it offers a clear perspective for scalability, thus paving the way towards large-scale quantum networks and their applications.

【 授权许可】

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