A step forward in modern quantum technology
Frequency conversion of single photon scattering on a spatio-temporal hologram of molecular vibrations in Hydrogen gas.
Credit: Nicolas Joly / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
… frequency conversion of single photons at arbitrary wavelengths.
Quanta of light – photons – form the basis of quantum key distribution in modern cryptographic networks. Before the huge potential of quantum technology is fully realized, however, several challenges remain. A solution to one of these has now been found.
In a paper published in the journal Science, teams led by David Novoa, Nicolas Joly and Philip Russell report a breakthrough in frequency up-conversion of single photons, based on a hollow-core photonic crystal fibre (PCF) filled with hydrogen gas.
First a spatio-temporal hologram of molecular vibrations is created in the gas by stimulated Raman scattering. This hologram is then used for highly efficient, correlation-preserving frequency conversion of single photons.
The system operates at a pressure-tuneable wavelength, making it potentially interesting for quantum communications, where efficient sources of indistinguishable single-photons are unavailable at wavelengths compatible with existing fibre networks.
The approach combines quantum optics, gas-based nonlinear optics, hollow-core PCF, and the physics of molecular vibrations to form an efficient tool that can operate in any spectral band from the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared – an ultra-broad working range inaccessible to existing technologies.
The findings may be used to develop fibre-based tools in technologies such as quantum communications, and quantum-enhanced imaging.
Wissenschaftliche Ansprechpartner:
Nicolas Joly
nicolas.joly@mpl.mpg.de
Originalpublikation:
R. Tyumenev, J. Hammer, N. Y. Joly, P. St. J. Russell, D. Novoa: Tunable and state-preserving frequency conversion of single photons in hydrogen, Science, Vol 376, Issue 6593, pp. 621-624, DOI: 10.1126/science.abn1434, https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.abn1434
Weitere Informationen:
https://mpl.mpg.de/news-events/news-from-the-institute/news-detail/news-detail/n…
Media Contact
All latest news from the category: Information Technology
Here you can find a summary of innovations in the fields of information and data processing and up-to-date developments on IT equipment and hardware.
This area covers topics such as IT services, IT architectures, IT management and telecommunications.
Newest articles
Properties of new materials for microchips
… can now be measured well. Reseachers of Delft University of Technology demonstrated measuring performance properties of ultrathin silicon membranes. Making ever smaller and more powerful chips requires new ultrathin…
Floating solar’s potential
… to support sustainable development by addressing climate, water, and energy goals holistically. A new study published this week in Nature Energy raises the potential for floating solar photovoltaics (FPV)…
Skyrmions move at record speeds
… a step towards the computing of the future. An international research team led by scientists from the CNRS1 has discovered that the magnetic nanobubbles2 known as skyrmions can be…
