Quantum-enabled temporal and spectral mode conversion of microwave signals

• Published in: Nature communications 2015-11, Vol.6 (1), p.10021-10021, Article 10021
• Main Authors: Andrews, R. W., Reed, A. P., Cicak, K., Teufel, J. D., Lehnert, K. W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 142/126; 639/766/25; 639/766/483; 639/766/483/640; Humanities and Social Sciences; multidisciplinary; Science; Science (multidisciplinary)
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10021

Electromagnetic waves are ideal candidates for transmitting information in a quantum network as they can be routed rapidly and efficiently between locations using optical fibres or microwave cables. Yet linking quantum-enabled devices with cables has proved difficult because most cavity or circuit quantum electrodynamics systems used in quantum information processing can only absorb and emit signals with a specific frequency and temporal envelope. Here we show that the temporal and spectral content of microwave-frequency electromagnetic signals can be arbitrarily manipulated with a flexible aluminium drumhead embedded in a microwave circuit. The aluminium drumhead simultaneously forms a mechanical oscillator and a tunable capacitor. This device offers a way to build quantum microwave networks using separate and otherwise mismatched components. Furthermore, it will enable the preparation of non-classical states of motion by capturing non-classical microwave signals prepared by the most coherent circuit quantum electrodynamics systems. Cavity QED systems which can be used for quantum information processing can absorb or emit signals with specific frequencies and temporal envelops. Here, the authors show that the temporal and spectral content of microwave signals can be manipulated with a flexible aluminium drumhead embedded in a circuit.