arXiv subjects

N. Sangouard

Publications and source records attributed to N. Sangouard.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Proposal for a coherent quantum memory for propagating microwave photons

We describe a multi-mode quantum memory for propagating microwave photons that combines a solid-state spin ensemble resonantly coupled to a frequency tunable single-mode microwave cavity. We first show that high efficiency mapping of the quantum state transported by a free photon to the spin ensemble is possible both for strong and weak coupling between the cavity mode and the spin ensemble. We also show that even in the weak coupling limit unit efficiency and faithful retrieval can be obtained through time reversal inhomogeneous dephasing based on spin echo techniques. This is possible provided that the cavity containing the spin ensemble and the transmission line are impedance matched. We finally discuss the prospects for an experimental implementation using a rare-earth doped crystal coupled to a superconducting resonator.

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arXiv2012

On the Purity and Indistinguishability of Down-Converted Photons

Photons generated by spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) are one of the most useful resources in quantum information science. Two of their most important characteristics are the purity and the indistinguishability, which determine just how useful they are as a resource. We show how these characteristics can both be accessed through Hong, Ou and Mandel (HOM) type interferences using a single pair source. We also provide simple and intuitive analytical formulas to extract their values from the depth of the resulting interference patterns. The validity of these expressions is demonstrated by a comparison with experimental results and numerical simulations. These results provide an essential tool for both engineering SPDC sources and characterizing the quantum states that they emit, which will play an increasingly important role in developing complex quantum photonic experiments.

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arXiv2012

Heralded photon amplification for quantum communication

Heralded noiseless amplification based on single-photon sources and linear optics is ideally suited for long-distance quantum communication tasks based on discrete variables. We experimentally demonstrate such an amplifier, operating at telecommunication wavelengths. Coherent amplification is performed with a gain of G=1.98+/-0.2, for a state with a maximum expected gain G=2. We also demonstrate that there is no need for a stable phase reference between the initial signal state and the local auxiliary photons used by the amplifier. These results highlight the potential of heralded quantum amplifiers for long-distance quantum communication, and bring device-independent quantum key distribution one step closer.

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arXiv2011

Detector imperfections in photon-pair source characterization

We analyze how imperfections in single-photon detectors impact the characterization of photon-pair sources. We perform exact calculations to reveal the effects of multi-pair emissions and of noisy, non-unit efficiency, non photon-number resolving detections on the Cauchy-Schwarz parameter, on the second order auto-correlation and cross-correlation functions, and on the visibilities of both Hong-Ou-Mandel and Bell-like interferences. We consider sources producing either two-mode squeezed states or states with a Poissonian photon distribution. The proposed formulas are useful in practice to determine the impacts of multi-pair emissions and dark counts in standard tests used in quantum optics.

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arXiv2011

Loophole-free Bell test for one atom and less than one photon

We consider the entanglement between two internal states of a single atom and two photon number states describing either the vaccum or a single photon and thus containing, on average, less than one photon. We show that this intriguing entanglement can be characterized through substantial violations of a Bell inequality by performing homodyne detections on the optical mode. We present the experimental challenges that need to be overcome to pave the way towards a loophole-free Bell test in this setup.

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arXiv2010

Purification of Single-photon Entanglement

Single-photon entanglement is a simple form of entanglement that exists between two spatial modes sharing a single photon. Despite its elementary form, it provides a resource as useful as polarization-entangled photons and it can be used for quantum teleportation and entanglement swapping operations. Here, we report the first experiment where single-photon entanglement is purified with a simple linear-optics based protocol. Besides its conceptual interest, this result might find applications in long distance quantum communication based on quantum repeaters.

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arXiv2009

Towards an eficient atomic frequency comb quantum memory

We present an efficient photon-echo experiment based on atomic frequency combs [Phys. Rev. A 79, 052329 (2009)]. Echoes containing an energy of up to 35% of that of the input pulse are observed in a Pr3+-doped Y2SiO5 crystal. This material allows for the precise spectral holeburning needed to make a sharp and highly absorbing comb structure. We compare our results with a simple theoretical model with satisfactory agreement. Our results show that atomic frequency combs has the potential for high-efficiency storage of single photons as required in future long-distance communication based on quantum repeaters.

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arXiv2006

Arbitrary state controlled-unitary gate by adiabatic passage

We propose a robust scheme involving atoms fixed in an optical cavity to directly implement the universal controlled-unitary gate. The present technique based on adiabatic passage uses novel dark states well suited for the controlled-rotation operation. We show that these dark states allow the robust implementation of a gate that is a generalisation of the controlled-unitary gate to the case where the control qubit can be selected to be an arbitrary state. This gate has potential applications to the rapid implementation of quantum algorithms such as of the projective measurement algorithm. This process is decoherence-free since excited atomic states and cavity modes are not populated during the dynamics.

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arXiv2006

Preparation of nondegenerate coherent superpositions in a three-state ladder system assisted by Stark Shifts

We propose a technique to prepare coherent superpositions of two nondegenerate quantum states in a three-state ladder system, driven by two simultaneous fields near resonance with an intermediate state. The technique, of potential application to enhancement of nonlinear processes, uses adiabatic passage assisted by dynamic Stark shifts induced by a third laser field. The method offers significant advantages over alternative techniques: (ı) it does not require laser pulses of specific shape and duration and (\ii) it requires less intense fields than schemes based on two-photon excitation with non-resonant intermediate states. We discuss possible experimental implementation for enhancement of frequency conversion in mercury atoms.

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arXiv2005

Decoherence-free manipulation of photonic memories for quantum computation

We present a protocol to construct an arbitrary quantum circuit. The quantum bits (qubits) are encoded in polarisation states of single photons. They are stored in spatially separated dense media deposed in an optical cavity. Specific sequences of pulses address individually the storage media to encode the qubits and to implement a universal set of gates. The proposed protocol is decoherence-free in the sense that spontaneous emission and cavity damping are avoided. We discuss a coupling scheme for experimental implementation in Neon atoms.

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arXiv2005

Fast SWAP gate by adiabatic passage

We present a process for the construction of a SWAP gate which does not require a composition of elementary gates from a universal set. We propose to employ direct techniques adapted to the preparation of this specific gate. The mechanism, based on adiabatic passage, constitutes a decoherence-free method in the sense that spontaneous emission and cavity damping are avoided.

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arXiv2005

CNOT gate by adiabatic passage with an optical cavity

We propose a scheme for the construction of a CNOT gate by adiabatic passage in an optical cavity. In opposition to a previously proposed method, the technique is not based on fractional adiabatic passage, which requires the control of the ratio of two pulse amplitudes. Moreover, the technique constitutes a decoherence-free method in the sense that spontaneous emission and cavity damping are avoided since the dynamics follows dark states.

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arXiv2004

Atom-photon, atom-atom and photon-photon entanglement preparation via fractional adiabatic passage

We propose a relatively robust scheme to generate maximally entangled states of (i) an atom and a cavity photon, (ii) two atoms in their ground states, and (iii) two photons in two spatially separate high-Q cavities. It is based on the interaction via fractional adiabatic passage of a three-level atom traveling through a cavity mode and a laser beam. The presence of optical phases is emphasized.

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