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Single-Photon-Level Quantum Memory at Room Temperature

K. F. Reim, P. Michelberger, K. C. Lee, J. Nunn, N. K. Langford, and I. A. Walmsley
Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 053603 – Published 25 July 2011
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Abstract

Room-temperature, easy-to-operate quantum memories are essential building blocks for future long distance quantum information networks operating on an intercontinental scale, because devices like quantum repeaters, based on quantum memories, will have to be deployed in potentially remote, inaccessible locations. Here we demonstrate controllable, broadband and efficient storage and retrieval of weak coherent light pulses at the single-photon level in warm atomic cesium vapor using the robust far off-resonant Raman memory scheme. We show that the unconditional noise floor of this technically simple quantum memory is low enough to operate in the quantum regime, even in a room-temperature environment.

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  • Received 23 November 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.053603

© 2011 American Physical Society

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A long-distance quantum repeater gets one step closer

Published 25 July 2011

Researchers demonstrate a robust, high-fidelity, broadband quantum memory that could be used to realize a long-distance quantum repeater for secure communication.

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Authors & Affiliations

K. F. Reim*, P. Michelberger, K. C. Lee, J. Nunn, N. K. Langford, and I. A. Walmsley

  • Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom

  • *k.reim1@physics.ox.ac.uk

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Issue

Vol. 107, Iss. 5 — 29 July 2011

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