An elementary quantum network of single atoms in optical cavities

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature 2012, Vol.484 (7393), p.195
Main Authors: Ritter, Stephan, Nolleke, Christian, Hahn, Carolin, Reiserer, Andreas, Neuzner, Andreas, Uphoff, Manuel, Mucke, Ma, Figueroa, Eden, Bochmann, Joerg, Rempe, Gerhard
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
Atoms
Properties
Quantum computing
Quantum optics
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0028-0836
DOI:10.1038/nature11023