Next step towards quantum network based on micromechanical beams

Next step towards quantum network based on micromechanical beams
Artists impression of two mechanical oscillators that are brought into a quantum entangled state through a light field inside an optical interferometer. The two systems exhibit stronger than classically possible correlations, often referred to as spooky action at a distance. This demonstration of entanglement between engineered systems could help to directly realize a quantum network. Credit: Moritz Forsch. Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology

In recent years, nanofabricated mechanical oscillators have emerged as a promising platform for quantum information applications. Quantum entanglement of engineered optomechanical resonators would offer a compelling route toward scalable quantum networks. Researchers at the TU Delft and the University of Vienna have now observed this entanglement and report their findings in this week's edition of Nature.

Vibrations behave like waves, but quantum mechanics also predicts that wave motion consists of tiny discrete packages of energy called phonons. In September 2017, the team of researchers at the TU Delft and the University of Vienna demonstrated a new level of quantum control over these vibrations using laser pulses. They created individual phonon excitations and confirmed their fundamental particle aspect. The creation and verification of these single phonons was an important step toward full optical quantum control of mechanical motion.

Now, they have taken an important next step by creating between two such micromechanical resonators mediated by 'telecom' photons. Entanglement is famously known as the "spooky action at a distance" between two objects that can only be described with quantum theory.

"Entanglement is a crucial resource for quantum communication networks," says prof. Simon Gröblacher of the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience at TU Delft. "Particularly important is the ability to distribute entanglement between remote quantum memories. Previous realizations have utilized systems like atoms embedded in cavities, but here, we introduce a purely nanofabricated solid-state platform in the form of chip-based microresonators – little silicon beams that simultaneously confine light and vibrations. By extending the control of single mechanical quanta to multiple devices, we demonstrate entanglement between such micromechanical devices on two chips that are separated by 20 cm."

The devices used consist of micrometer-sized silicon beams. They are patterned in such a way that their vibrations can be 'written' onto laser pulses traveling through them and vice versa. The vibrating beams consist of 8 billion atoms each, are the size of a cell, and can therefore easily be seen with a magnifying glass or microscope.

"Nanomachined optomechanical devices are a very promising platform for integrated quantum information processing with phonons, as the parameters of the system, like optical conversion wavelength and quantum memory times, can be freely tailored through the design. For example, we deliberately chose the optical wavelength of the to be in the telecommunication band, which is typically used in the distribution of high-bandwidth internet. Thereby, we show that quantum networks could be constructed using conventional fiber optics in combination with our devices," says dr. Sungkun Hong from the University of Vienna.

Another key advantage is that their devices can be integrated on a chip together with other solid-state quantum systems. The authors, for instance, expect that their devices could potentially be interfaced with superconducting quantum circuits and used as quantum "ethernet ports" that transfer between the circuits and optical signals.

"The next step will be to build a network consisting of more beams and working over hundreds of meters, maybe even several kilometers, getting us closer to realizing a system than can be used for real applications," says prof. Gröblacher. "We see no fundamental obstacles in taking these steps in the next few years."

More information: Ralf Riedinger*, Andreas Wallucks*, Igor Marinković*, Clemens Löschnauer, Markus Aspelmeyer, Sungkun Hong, and Simon Gröblacher, Remote quantum entanglement between two micromechanical oscillators, Nature 556, 473–477 (2018). doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0036-z

Journal information: Nature

Citation: Next step towards quantum network based on micromechanical beams (2018, April 25) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2018-04-quantum-network-based-micromechanical.html
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