• Heterogeneously integrated, superconducting silicon-photonic platform for measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution

    分类: 光学 >> 量子光学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Integrated photonics provides a route both to miniaturize quantum key distribution (QKD) devices and to enhance their performance. A key element for achieving discrete-variable QKD is a single-photon detector. It is highly desirable to integrate detectors onto a photonic chip to enable the realization of practical and scalable quantum networks. We realize an integrated heterogeneous superconducting-silicon-photonic chip. Harnessing the unique high-speed feature of our optical waveguide-integrated superconducting detector, we perform the first optimal Bell-state measurement (BSM) of time-bin encoded qubits generated from two independent lasers. The optimal BSM enables an increased key rate of measurement-device-independent QKD, which is immune to all attacks against the detection system, and hence provides the basis for a QKD network with untrusted relays. Together with the time-multiplexed technique, we have enhanced the sifted key rate by almost one order of magnitude. With a 125 MHz clock rate, we obtain a secure key rate of 6.166 kbps over 24.0 dB loss, which is comparable to the state-of-the-art MDI-QKD experimental results with GHz clock rate. Combined with integrated QKD transmitters, a scalable, chip-based and cost-effective QKD network should become realizable in the near future.

  • Quantum storage of entangled photons at telecom wavelengths in a crystal

    分类: 光学 >> 量子光学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: The quantum internet -- in synergy with the internet that we use today -- promises an enabling platform for next-generation information processing, including exponentially speed-up distributed computation, secure communication, and high-precision metrology. The key ingredients for realizing such a global network are the distribution and storage of quantum entanglement. As quantum networks are likely to be based on existing fibre networks, telecom-wavelength entangled photons and corresponding quantum memories are of central interest. Recently, ${\rm ^{167}Er^{3+}}$ ions have been identified as a promising candidate for an efficient, broadband quantum memory at telecom wavelength. However, to date, no storage of entangled photons, the crucial step of quantum memory using these ions, has been reported. Here, we demonstrate the storage and recall of the entangled state of two telecom photons generated from an integrated photonic chip based on silicon nitride. Combining the natural narrow linewidth of the entangled photons and long storage time of ${\rm ^{167}Er^{3+}}$ ions, we achieve storage time of 400 ns, more than one order of magnitude longer than in previous works. Successful storage of entanglement in the crystal is certified by a violation of an entanglement witness by more than 12 standard deviations (-0.161 $\pm$ 0.012) at 400 ns storage time. These results pave the way for realizing quantum networks based on solid-state devices.