arXiv subjects

Hugues de Riedmatten

Publications and source records attributed to Hugues de Riedmatten.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Long-lived telecom-heralded single-photon storage in an absorptive spin-rephased quantum memory

Long-lived storage of single photons under the form of atomic excitations is at the foundation of long-distance entanglement distribution in quantum networks. To mitigate decoherence effects induced by the environment, rephasing of the hyperfine coherences using microwave pulses have been implemented in a variety of single-emitter and ensemble-based solid-state systems. However, the demonstration of storage of single photons in an absorptive quantum memory including such spin rephasing mechanism remains elusive. In this work, we show non-classical storage of telecom-heralded single photons in a Pr$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ rare-earth ion doped crystal quantum memory using the atomic frequency comb (AFC) spin-wave protocol combined with a XY4 spin rephasing sequence. Long-lived AFC photon echoes are first observed in the classical regime for storage times of up to approximately 3 ms. We then demonstrate non-classical correlations between heralding photons and stored signal photons generated by a cavity-enhanced parametric photon-pair source for storage times of up to 180 $\mu$s and with measured cross-correlation values as high as 4.6(4). Together with the capacity of Pr$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ QMs to support highly efficient and multiplexed storage, this result represents a significant step towards scalable long-distance quantum repeater links.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Partially-Blind Single-Qubit Classification over a Prototype Hybrid Quantum Network

In the NISQ era, there is a need for resource-efficient proof-of-principle experiments that can be built up to genuine utility. Single-qubit classifiers (SQCs) are small-scale hybrid quantum-classical machines capable of performing a basic machine learning task: classifying data. In principle, these can be scaled up to many-qubit quantum classifiers capable of quantum computational advantage. Another type of quantum advantage is enabled by blind quantum computation (BQC), wherein a client may run delegated quantum computations on an untrusted server with information-theoretic security. In this paper, we develop a framework and propose a prototype experiment for a SQC where it is known to the server that a classification is being performed, but the data and outcome stay hidden, i.e., it performs partially-blind SQC (PB-SQC). This can be integrated into a quantum network to deliver quantum-secured classifications to remote clients; we study this for a heterogeneous quantum network link in which entanglement is shared between a server and a client equipped with a multiplexed solid-state quantum memory using entanglement swapping. The framework we develop for PB-SQC on this setup is tested in a simulation with realistic hardware parameters on a real-world credit card transaction fraud database with classification outcomes approaching those of its equivalent classical deep-belief network. In addition, we show how a two-qubit classifier (TQC) instead of a SQC enables verification of the computation. These results pave the way towards a short- to mid-term quantum network offering use-case-ready quantum applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Quantum Storage of Qubits in an Array of Independently Controllable Solid-State Quantum Memories

Random-access quantum memories may offer computational advantages for quantum computers and networks. In this paper, we advance arrays of solid-state quantum memories towards their usage as random-access quantum memory. We perform quantum storage of path and time-bin qubits implemented with weak coherent states at the single-photon level, in an array of ten temporally-multiplexed memory cells with controllable addressing. The qubits can be stored in arbitrary combinations of memory cells, from which they are read-out on demand. We find average fidelities of $95_{-2}^{+2}\;\%$ for path qubits and $91^{+2}_{-2}\;\%$ for time-bin qubits. The measured fidelities violate the classical bounds for both encodings and for all ten cells. We also sequentially store a time-bin qubit in two different memory cells, maintain both qubits simultaneously in the array, and perform a collective read-out. The individual control paired with high storage fidelity represents a significant advance towards a solid-state random-access quantum memory for quantum repeaters and photonic quantum processors.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

A solid-state temporally multiplexed quantum memory array at the single-photon level

The exploitation of multimodality in different degrees of freedom is one of the most promising ways to increase the rate of heralded entanglement between distant quantum nodes. In this paper, we realize a spatially-multiplexed solid-state quantum memory array with ten individually controllable spin-wave memory cells featuring on-demand read-out and temporal multiplexing. By combining spatial and temporal multiplexing, we store weak coherent pulses at the single-photon level in up to 250 spatio-temporal modes, with an average signal-to-noise ratio of 10(2). We perform a thorough characterization of the whole system, including its multiplexing and demultiplexing stage. We verify that the memory array exhibits low cross-talk even at the single-photon level. The measured performance indicates readiness for storing non-classical states and promises a speed-up in entanglement distribution rates.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Collective vacuum-Rabi splitting with an atomic spin wave coupled to a cavity mode

A promising platform for quantum information research relies on cavity coupled atomic spin-waves, enabling efficient operations such as quantum memories, quantum light generation and entanglement distribution. In this work, we study the strong coupling between non-classical collective spin excitations generated by Raman scattering in a cold $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atomic ensemble, and a single cavity mode. We report on an intracavity spin wave to single photon conversion efficiency of up to $\chi=0.75 \pm 0.02$ in the quantum domain, as evidenced by a violation of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality. Our work establishes a relationship between the retrieval of an atomic spin wave in the non-classical regime and the vacuum-Rabi splitting. We show that this relationship emerges within the efficiency spectrum, and we finally provide the optimal operational conditions to achieve the maximum intrinsic retrieval efficiency. Our data is well reproduced by simulations based on optical Bloch equations. This work deepens the understanding of cavity-enhanced spin wave readout and its potential applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Heralded entanglement of on-demand spin-wave solid-state quantum memories for multiplexed quantum network links

The ability to distribute heralded entanglement between distant matter nodes is a primitive for the implementation of large-scale quantum networks. Some of the most crucial requirements for future applications include high heralding rates at telecom wavelengths, multiplexed operation and on-demand retrieval of stored excitations for synchronization of separate quantum links. Despite tremendous progress in various physical systems, the demonstration of telecom-heralded entanglement between quantum nodes featuring both multiplexed operation and on-demand retrieval remains elusive. In this work, we combine narrowband parametric photon-pair sources and solid-state quantum memories based on rare-earth doped crystals to demonstrate telecom heralded entanglement between spatially separated spin-wave quantum memories with fully adjustable recall time and temporal multiplexing of 15 modes. In a first experiment, the storage in the spin-state is conditioned on the entanglement heralding. We take advantage of the control over readout pulse phase to achieve feed-forward conditional phase-shifts on the stored photons depending on which heralding detector clicked. We exploit this effect to double the entanglement heralding rate for a given quantum state up to 510 cps, with an associated detection rate of 0.32 cps and measured positive concurrence by up to 6 standard deviations. In a second experiment, we simulate the communication time of a long-distance link by implementing an unconditional storage scheme with a dead-time of 100 $\mu$s. We take advantage of temporal multiplexing to increase the entanglement rates by a factor of 15 with respect to single mode storage, reaching a value of 22 cps per heralding detector. These results establish our architecture as a prime candidate for the implementation of scalable high-rate quantum network links.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Quantum Frequency Conversion of $\mu s$-long Photons from the Visible to the Telecom-C-Band

Quantum Frequency Conversion (QFC) is a widely used technique to interface atomic systems with the telecom band in order to facilitate propagation over longer distances in fiber. Here we demonstrate the difference-frequency conversion from 606 nm to 1552 nm of microsecond-long weak coherent pulses at the single photon level compatible with Pr$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5\,$ quantum memories, with high-signal to noise ratio. We use a single step difference frequency generation process with a continuous-wave pump at 994 nm in a MgO:ppLN-waveguide and ultra-narrow spectral filtering down to a bandwidth of 12.5 MHz. With this setup, we achieve the conversion of weak coherent pulses of duration up to 13.6 $\mu s$ with a device efficiency of about 25% and a signal-to-noise ratio >460 for 10 $\mu s$-long pulses containing one photon on average. This signal-to-noise ratio is large enough to enable a high-fidelity conversion of qubits emitted from an emissive quantum memory based on Pr$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5\,$ and to realize an interface with quantum processing nodes based on narrow-linewidth cavity-enhanced trapped ions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Multimodal Purcell enhancement and optical coherence of Eu$^{\text{3+}}$ ions in a single nanoparticle coupled to a microcavity

Europium-doped nanocrystals constitute a promising material for a scalable future quantum computing platform. Long-lived nuclear spin states could serve as qubits addressed via coherent optical transitions. In order to realize an efficient spin-photon interface, we couple the emission from a single nanoparticle to a fiber-based microcavity under cryogenic conditions. The spatial and spectral tunability of the cavity permits us to place individual nanoparticles in the cavity, to measure the inhomogeneous linewidth of the ions, and to show a multi-modal Purcell-enhancement of two transition in Eu$^{\text{3+}}$. A halving of the free-space lifetime to 1.0 ms is observed, corresponding to a 140-fold enhancement of the respective transition. Furthermore, we observe a narrow optical linewidth of 3.3 MHz for a few-ion ensemble in the center of the inhomogeneous line. The results represent an important step towards the efficient readout of single Eu$^{\text{3+}}$ ions, a key requirement for the realization of single-ion-level quantum processing nodes in the solid state.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Integrated thermo-optic phase shifters for laser-written photonic circuits operating at cryogenic temperatures

Integrated photonics offers compact and stable manipulation of optical signals in miniaturized chips, with the possibility of changing dynamically their functionality by means of integrated phase shifters. Cryogenic operation of these devices is becoming essential for advancing photonic quantum technologies, accommodating components like quantum light sources, single photon detectors and quantum memories operating at liquid helium temperatures. In this work, we report on a programmable glass photonic integrated circuit (PIC) fabricated through femtosecond laser waveguide writing (FLW) and controlled by thermo-optic phase shifters both in a room-temperature and in a cryogenic setting. By taking advantage of a femtosecond laser microstructuring process, we achieved reliable PIC operation with minimal power consumption and confined temperature gradients in both conditions. This advancement marks the first cryogenically-compatible programmable FLW PIC, paving the way for fully integrated quantum architectures realized on a laser-written photonic chip.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2024

Near-unity indistinguishability of single photons emitted from dissimilar and independent atomic quantum nodes

Generating indistinguishable photons from independent nodes is an important challenge for the development of quantum networks. In this work, we demonstrate the generation of highly indistinguishable single photons from two dissimilar atomic quantum nodes. One node is based on a fully blockaded cold Rydberg ensemble and generates on-demand single photons. The other node is a quantum repeater node based on a DLCZ quantum memory and emits heralded single photons after a controllable memory time that is used to synchronize the two sources. We demonstrate an indistinguishability of ${94.6 \pm 5.2 \%}$ for a temporal window including ${90\%}$ of the photons. This advancement opens new possibilities for interconnecting quantum repeater and processing nodes with high fidelity Bell-state measurement without sacrificing its efficiency.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Strongly non-linear interaction between non-classical light and a blockaded Rydberg atomic ensemble

We investigate the interaction between non-classical light with a tunable multiphoton component and a highly nonlinear medium based on cold Rydberg atoms. The non-classical field emitted by a DLCZ quantum memory is stored using Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency, experiencing strong nonlinear response due to the dipole blockade. We show that the storage efficiency in the Rydberg ensemble decreases as function of the multiphoton strength of the input field, as a result of the nonlinearity. We also show that the autocorrelation function $g^{(2)}(0)$ of the retrieved field after storage in the Rydberg state is considerably reduced, leading to the first demonstration of single photon filtering with non-classical input light. Finally, we develop a simple simulation that allows us to model the effect of our medium on the input state. This work is a step towards matter-mediated photon-photon interactions with non-classical light.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Efficient cavity-assisted storage of photonic qubits in a solid-state quantum memory

We report on the high-efficiency storage and retrieval of weak coherent optical pulses and photonic qubits in a cavity-enhanced solid-state quantum memory. By using an atomic frequency comb (AFC) memory in a $Pr^{3+}:Y_2 SO_5$ crystal embedded in a low-finesse impedance-matched cavity, we stored weak coherent pulses at the single photon level with up to 62% efficiency for a pre-determined storage time of 2 $\mu$s. We also confirmed that the impedance-matched cavity enhances the efficiency for longer storage times up to 70 $\mu$s. Taking advantage of the temporal multimodality of the AFC scheme, we then store weak coherent time-bin qubits with (51+-2)% efficiency and a measurement-device limited fidelity over (94.8+-1.4)% for the retrieved qubits. These results represent the most efficient storage in a single photon level AFC memory and the most efficient qubit storage in a solid-state quantum memory up-to-date.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Transmission of light-matter entanglement over a metropolitan network

We report on the transmission of telecom photons entangled with a multimode solid-state quantum memory over a deployed optical fiber in a metropolitan area. Photon pairs were generated through spontaneous parametric down-conversion, with one photon stored in a rare earth-based quantum memory, and the other, at telecommunication wavelengths, traveling through increasing distances of optical fibre, first in the laboratory and then outside in a deployed fibre loop. We measured highly-non-classical correlations between the stored and the telecom photons for storage times up to 25 $\mu$s and for a fibre separation up to 50 km. We also report light-matter entanglement with a two-qubit fidelity up to 88$\%$, which remains constant within error bars for all fibre lengths, showing that the telecom qubit does not suffer decoherence during the transmission. Finally, we moved the detection stage of the telecom photons to a different location placed 17 km away, and confirmed the non-classical correlations between the two photons. Our system was adapted to provide the transmission of precise detection times and synchronization signals over long quantum communication channels, providing the first steps for a future quantum network involving quantum memories and non-classical states.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Optical coherence properties of Kramers' rare-earth ions at the nanoscale for quantum applications

Rare-earth (RE) ion doped nano-materials are promising candidates for a range of quantum technology applications. Among RE ions, the so-called Kramers' ions possess spin transitions in the GHz range at low magnetic fields, which allows for high-bandwidth multimode quantum storage, fast qubit operations as well as interfacing with superconducting circuits. They also present relevant optical transitions in the infrared. In particular, Er$^{3+}$ has an optical transition in the telecom band, while Nd$^{3+}$ presents a high-emission-rate transition close to 890 nm. In this paper, we measure spectroscopic properties that are of relevance to using these materials in quantum technology applications. We find the inhomogeneous linewidth to be 10.7 GHz for Er$^{3+}$ and 8.2 GHz for Nd$^{3+}$, and the excited state lifetime T$_1$ to be 13.68 ms for Er$^{3+}$ and 540 $\mu$s for Nd$^{3+}$. We study the dependence of homogeneous linewidth on temperature for both samples, with the narrowest linewidth being 379 kHz (T$_2$ = 839 ns) for Er$^{3+}$ measured at 3 K, and 62 kHz (T$_2$ = 5.14 $\mu$s) for Nd$^{3+}$ measured at 1.6 K. Further, we investigate time-dependent homogeneous linewidth broadening due to spectral diffusion and the dependence of homogeneous linewidth on magnetic field, in order to get additional clarity of mechanisms that can influence the coherence time. In light of our results, we discuss two applications: single qubit-state readout and a Fourier-limited single photon source.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Detection of single ions in a nanoparticle coupled to a fiber cavity

Many quantum information protocols require the storage and manipulation of information over long times, and its exchange between nodes of a quantum network across long distances. Implementing these protocols requires an advanced quantum hardware, featuring, for example, a register of long-lived and interacting qubits with an efficient optical interface in the telecommunication band. Here we present the Purcell-enhanced detection of single solid-state ions in erbium-doped nanoparticles placed in a fiber cavity, emitting photons at 1536 nm. The open-access design of the cavity allows for complete tunability both in space and frequency, selecting individual particles and ions. The ions are confined in a volume two orders of magnitude smaller than in previous realizations, increasing the probability of finding ions separated only by a few nanometers which could then interact. We report the detection of individual spectral features presenting saturation of the emission count rate and linewidth, as expected for two-level systems. We also report an uncorrected $g^{(2)} \left ( 0 \right )$ of 0.24(5) for the emitted field, confirming the presence of a single emitter. Our fully fiber-integrated system is an important step towards the realization of the initially envisioned quantum hardware.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Long-distance multiplexed quantum teleportation from a telecom photon to a solid-state qubit

Quantum teleportation is an essential capability for quantum networks, allowing the transmission of quantum bits (qubits) without a direct exchange of quantum information. Its implementation between distant parties requires teleportation of the quantum information to matter qubits that store it for long enough to allow users to perform further processing. Here we demonstrate long distance quantum teleportation from a photonic qubit at telecom wavelength to a matter qubit, stored as a collective excitation in a solid-state quantum memory. Our system encompasses an active feed-forward scheme, implementing a phase shift on the qubit retrieved from the memory, therefore completing the protocol. Moreover, our approach is time-multiplexed, allowing for an increase in the teleportation rate, and is directly compatible with the deployed telecommunication networks, two key features for its scalability and practical implementation, that will play a pivotal role in the development of long-distance quantum communication.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Multimode capacity of atomic-frequency comb quantum memories

Ensemble-based quantum memories are key to developing multiplexed quantum repeaters, able to overcome the intrinsic rate limitation imposed by finite communication times over long distances. Rare-earth ion doped crystals are main candidates for highly multimode quantum memories, where time, frequency and spatial multiplexing can be exploited to store multiple modes. In this context the atomic frequency comb (AFC) quantum memory provides large temporal multimode capacity, which can readily be combined with multiplexing in frequency and space. In this article, we derive theoretical formulas for quantifying the temporal multimode capacity of AFC-based memories, for both optical memories with fixed storage time and spin-wave memories with longer storage times and on-demand read out. The temporal multimode capacity is expressed in key memory parameters, such as AFC bandwidth, fixed-delay storage time, memory efficiency, and control field Rabi frequency. Current experiments in europium- and praseodymium-doped Y$_2$SiO$_5$ are analyzed within this theoretical framework, and prospects for higher temporal capacity in these materials are considered. In addition we consider the possibility of spectral and spatial multiplexing to further increase the mode capacity, with examples given for both rare earh ions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Storage and analysis of light-matter entanglement in a fibre-integrated system

The deployment of a fully-fledged quantum internet poses the challenge of finding adequate building-blocks for entanglement distribution between remote quantum nodes. An ideal system would combine propagation in optical fibres with quantum memories for light, leveraging on the existing communication network while featuring the scalability required to extend to network sizes. Here we demonstrate a fiber-integrated quantum memory entangled with a photon at telecommunication wavelength. The storage device is based on a fiber-pigtailed laser written waveguide in a rare-earth doped solid and allows an all-fiber stable adressing of the memory. The analysis of the entanglement is performed using fibre-based interferometers. Our results feature orders of magnitude advances in terms of storage time and efficiency for integrated storage of light-matter entanglement, and constitute a significant step forward towards quantum networks using integrated devices.

quant-ph↗