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H2020Individual fellowship2016–2018

3-5-FIRST · Cold atom-semiconductor quantum interface

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2016-03-01 → 2018-02-28
EU contribution
€187,420
Participants
1
Scheme
MSCA-IF

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Results in brief

Cold atom-semiconductor quantum interface

The interdisciplinary project 3-5-FIRST aimed at the realization of a atom-semiconductor quantum interface. A group III-V semiconductor quantum dot (QD) is interfaced with an ensemble of atoms from the first group (alkali metal). This innovative approach allows for combining efficient single photon generation in semiconductor QDs with the excellent properties of atomic quantum memories to build a so far missing key element for high-speed quantum networks. Thus, 3-5-FIRST promises a plethora of radically new applications and novel insights. For example, high-speed quantum cryptography networks will be used for unconditional secure communication in metropolitan areas. Memory enhanced quantum computers and simulators will allow for exponential speed-up in solving complex problems. Both applications can be implemented in high-speed quantum networks for which the envisioned storage and retrieval of a single QD photon in a cold atom memory is a major breakthrough. In 3-5-First important steps towards this ambitious goal were taken. Most relevant are the development of a quantum dot single photon source with temporally shaped emission, spectrally matched to Rb atoms and the development of a Rb quantum memory that combines high efficiency with high bandwidth ( ~1 GHz).

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

A group III/V semiconductor quantum dot will be interfaced with an ensemble of ultracold alkali atoms (first group). This interface will allow to combine efficient single photon generation in quantum dots with the excellent properties of cold atom quantum memories to build a key element for future high-speed quantum networks. Semiconductor quantum dots have been developed into one of the best single-photon sources, providing single-photon generation on demand at a high rate and with high spectral purity. Independently, ultracold atoms have emerged as excellent quantum memories, providing single-photon storage with high efficiency and long lifetime. Using a new type of quantum dot that emits single photons at a wavelength compatible with rubidium atoms and a new broadband quantum memory scheme, we will directly interface these two systems for the first time. A single photon emitted from the quantum dot will be stored in the atomic ensemble and retrieved again on demand, realizing a key element of a quantum network. These achievement, which constitutes the primary goal of this project, wil form the basis for future experiments where the system will be used to create entanglement between two atomic ensembles and ultimately between the atoms and the quantum dot spin. These experiments will establish a new technology for quantum communication and distributed quantum computation, combining high bandwidth, high efficiency, and long storage time.

Original text from CORDIS.

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Data: CORDIS, © European Union