Abstract
Quantum memories are essential for large-scale quantum information networks. Along with high efficiency, storage lifetime, and optical bandwidth, it is critical that the memory adds negligible noise to the recalled signal. A common source of noise in optical quantum memories is spontaneous four-wave mixing. We develop and implement a technically simple scheme to suppress this noise mechanism by means of quantum interference. Using this scheme with a Raman memory in warm atomic vapor, we demonstrate over an order of magnitude improvement in noise performance. Furthermore we demonstrate a method to quantify the remaining noise contributions and present a route to enable further noise suppression. Our scheme opens the way to quantum demonstrations using a broadband memory, significantly advancing the search for scalable quantum photonic networks.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 033801 |
Journal | Physical Review A |
Volume | 100 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 3 Sept 2019 |
Funding
We thank K. Heshami, O. Lazo-Arjona, and J. Becker for insightful discussions. This work was supported by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through the Standard Grant No. EP/J000051/1, Programme Grant No. EP/K034480/1, the EPSRC Hub for Networked Quantum Information Technologies (NQIT), and an ERC Advanced Grant (Grant No. MOQUACINO). This work has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under Grant Agreement No. 665148 (QCUMbER). S.E.T. and J.H.D.M. are supported by EPSRC via the Controlled Quantum Dynamics CDT under Grants No. EP/G037043/1 and No. EP/L016524/1, and T.M.H. is supported via the EPSRC Training and Skills Hub InQuBATE Grant No. EP/P510270/1. J.N. acknowledges financial support from a Royal Society University Research Fellowship (SPEARS), D.J.S. acknowledges financial support from an EU Marie Curie Fellowship No. PIIF-GA-2013-629229, and P.M.L. acknowledges financial support from an EU Marie Curie individual fellowship (Quantum BOSS) funded under H2020-EU.1.3.2. Grant Agreement ID 705278.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics