Low-noise short-wavelength pumped frequency down-conversion for Quantum Frequency Converters

Abstract

In this paper, we present a novel single stage quantum frequency conversion (QFC) scheme based on an enhancement cavity, which allows for high conversion efficiencies with record low noise levels, 100 times smaller than in previous systems and close to the thermal background. Our approach represents a significant improvement over traditional QFC methods that rely on periodically poled waveguide crystals, which typically produce high levels of noise with input wavelengths in the visible spectrum. One of the key challenges in QFC is the generation of noise photons - photons that are not part of the desired output state. Those noise photons are one of the major limitations of today’s quantum network experiments. It has been widely believed that single stage QFC of qubit photons in the visible range would result in too many noise photons in the telecom band, because of SPDC induced by the short wavelength driver laser. However, using the enhancement cavity design, we are able to overcome this challenge and demonstrate high-fidelity QFC from the visible to telecom band. Our results have important implications for the development of practical QFC devices for a range of applications, including quantum communication and quantum networks, where low noise levels are critical.

Authors 9

1. Jan Fabian Geus Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

   RWTH Aachen University · Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT , Steinbachstr. 15 , D-52074 Aachen , Germany,

   RWTH Aachen University LLT -Chair for Laser Technology , Steinbachstr. 15 , D-52074 Aachen , Germany

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, Steinbachstr. 15, D-52074 Aachen, Germany,

   RWTH Aachen University LLT -Chair for Laser Technology, Steinbachstr. 15, D-52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Florian Elsen Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

   RWTH Aachen University · Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT , Steinbachstr. 15 , D-52074 Aachen , Germany,

   RWTH Aachen University LLT -Chair for Laser Technology , Steinbachstr. 15 , D-52074 Aachen , Germany

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, Steinbachstr. 15, D-52074 Aachen, Germany,

   RWTH Aachen University LLT -Chair for Laser Technology, Steinbachstr. 15, D-52074 Aachen, Germany

3. Sebastian Nyga Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT , Steinbachstr. 15 , D-52074 Aachen , Germany,

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, Steinbachstr. 15, D-52074 Aachen, Germany,

4. Arian Stolk

   QuTech · Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Kavli Institute for Nanoscience , Delft University of Technology , 2628 CJ Delft , The Netherlands

   QuTech , Delft University of Technology , 2628 CJ Delft , The Netherlands

   Kavli Institute for Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands

   QuTech, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands

5. K. L. van der Enden

   QuTech · Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Kavli Institute for Nanoscience , Delft University of Technology , 2628 CJ Delft , The Netherlands

   QuTech , Delft University of Technology , 2628 CJ Delft , The Netherlands

   Kavli Institute for Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands

   QuTech, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands

6. Erwin van Zwet

   QuTech · Delft University of Technology · Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) , p.o. Box 155 , 2600 AD Delft , The Nether- lands

   QuTech , Delft University of Technology , 2628 CJ Delft , The Netherlands

   Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), p.o. Box 155, 2600 AD Delft, The Nether-lands

   QuTech, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands

7. C. Haefner Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

   RWTH Aachen University · Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT , Steinbachstr. 15 , D-52074 Aachen , Germany,

   RWTH Aachen University LLT -Chair for Laser Technology , Steinbachstr. 15 , D-52074 Aachen , Germany

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, Steinbachstr. 15, D-52074 Aachen, Germany,

   RWTH Aachen University LLT -Chair for Laser Technology, Steinbachstr. 15, D-52074 Aachen, Germany

8. Ronald Hanson

   QuTech · Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Kavli Institute for Nanoscience , Delft University of Technology , 2628 CJ Delft , The Netherlands

   QuTech , Delft University of Technology , 2628 CJ Delft , The Netherlands

   Kavli Institute for Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands

   QuTech, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands

9. Bernd Jungbluth Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT , Steinbachstr. 15 , D-52074 Aachen , Germany,

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, Steinbachstr. 15, D-52074 Aachen, Germany,