PECADO · Probabilistic entanglement creation in distant atoms
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2005-03-01 → 2007-02-28
- EU contribution
- €137,015
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- EIF
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Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - PECADO (Probabilistic entanglement creation in distant atoms)
In the future, quantum-entangled states of distant atoms will play an essential role for quantum networking and quantum communication. For example, it will be possible to build a non-local quantum computer, where the entangled state links two quantum processors formed by two ion strings in two distant traps. In another vision, the entanglement can be used to teleport the internal atomic state of an atom in one trap to an atom in a second, remote trap. Within this project, a first step towards implementing these visions was taken. The main project achievement was the set-up of a quantum optical experiment for the creation of entangled, distant atoms. The main ingredients of the highly complex system were: 1. two ion trap assemblies which held individual atoms and allowed for their interaction with laser pulses; 2. the lasers which would be used to manipulate these single atoms; and 3. the detection devices which would permit the creation and observation of entanglement between the atoms. As a classical system, the experiment consisted by a very large interferometer where a laser pulse was split, passed through a single atom in each arm and then was combined and detected. In the quantum picture, this detection led to the entanglement between the atoms. Our experimental set-up was close to operation; once ions were trapped, we would initially demonstrate interference of their fluorescence, i.e. of the scattered laser pulse. Stable interference was required so that the generated state possessed useful entanglement properties. In later steps this entanglement and its dynamics would be characterised before being used for first applications of teleportation and quantum networking.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The central objective of this project is to experimentally investigate ways of creating quantum entanglement between two distant, single atoms.Trapped single atoms or ions are fundamental systems to study quantum optics and quantum physics in general, and they are promising candidates for implementations of quantum information processing. One particular challenge is to establish a coupling between distant single atoms which would allow to create entanglement between them. Such non-local entanglement of atom ic quantum systems would form an important step towards the communication of quantum information and the development of quantum networks. Based on proposals how to create non-local entanglement by projective measurements, and on recent experimental progres s which has shown (i) quantum correlations of successive photons emitted from a single atom, (ii) self-interaction of a single ion over a macroscopic distance, and (iii) interference of light from two individual ions in the same trap, this project is going to study the coupling of two ions in independent traps which are separated by a distance of ~ 1 meter. The experimental system will be set up using state-of-the-art ion trapping and laser technology. First measurements will be aimed at observing first-ord er interference of the light scattered by two ions in the two traps, which signals the indistinguishability of the two scattering paths, a precondition for the generation of entanglement through projective measurements. Similarly, second-order interference will be investigated through time-resolved detection of scattered photons. To observe the back-action of photon detection on the atoms, atomic state analysis by state-sensitive fluorescence will be implemented. The system will then be ready for deeper stu dies of non-local entanglement, which, however, are realistically expected to happen only after the phase to be funded through this application.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- FUNDACIÓ PRIVADA INSTITUT DE CIÈNCIES FOTÒNIQUES · BARCELONACoordinatorCity levelSpain
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union