Configurable Entangled Photon Sources for Quantum Networks
Much of our understanding of entanglement comes from experiments involving entangled photon pairs, and photon pairs are still the best candidates for the exchange of quantum information across any appreciable distance. Since the 1990s, spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) has been established in the academic and research community as a reliable source of entangled photon pairs. During this time, source brightness and stability has improved considerably; however, entangled photon sources are still built primarily by graduate students, and there is significant variability among sources. Moreover, SPDC entangled photon sources lack flexibility, typically designed to output a single type of entangled state. The purpose of this project was to develop a ‘user- programmable’ entangled photon source capable of producing any type of pure two-photon entangled state and compatible with a large assortment of matter-based qubits. A configurable source will offer greater versatility not only to quantum information researchers as they design experiments but also to quantum network designers. Indeed, it is likely that some network tasks such as network tuning and quality of service measurements will require different types of two- photon states. Moreover, the dynamic nature of physical networks requires components that can adapt to changing conditions in real time. With a standardized design offering true versatility and adaptability in a rugged and reliable package, multiple network functions can be supported with a single source. In this way, the configurable entangled photon source capability will serve as a foundational technology for quantum networks and will move the community past the era of single-purpose devices. A compact, rugged, and affordable source of programmable entangled photons is expected to be an enabling technology that will transform quantum light sources from ‘research project’ to ‘research tool.’ This project advanceD the technology to support widely available to the quantum information community. Entangled photon pairs will serve as the building blocks to extend entanglement distance or to increase the number of entangled qubits. As such, entangled photon generation will be an enabling technology. By moving the development of a reliable source of entangled photons forward and getting it into the hands of quantum information specialists, we hope to hasten the progress of these exciting applications; and by making the entangled photon source capable of adapting to changing network conditions, new quantum devices can be deployed outside the laboratory. Phase I demonstrated the feasibility of a configurable polarization entangled photon source by: a) building an entangled source with integrated control elements for full quantum state control; b) identifying a sufficient set of control elements and demonstrating the functionality of those elements; and c) demonstrating a simple optimization loop that adjusts the source in response to feedback from a reduced set of measurements on the state. Phase II advanced the Phase I approach by developing a more rugged source with electronic control elements that eliminate the need for manual adjustments. Phase II also developed a method for external tomography measurement of the output state, but these measurements are deemed too slow to effectively control the source output under most environmental conditions.
- Research Organization:
- Qubitekk Inc.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0019690
- OSTI ID:
- 1924802
- Type / Phase:
- SBIR (Phase II)
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-QBTK-19690
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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