High‐Speed Quantum Transducer with a Single‐Photon Emitter in a 2D Resonator

Abstract

Quantum transducers can transfer quantum information between different systems. Microwave-optical photon conversion is important for future quantum networks to interconnect remote superconducting quantum computers with optical fibers. Here, a high-speed quantum transducer based on a single-photon emitter in an atomically thin membrane resonator, that can couple single microwave photons to single optical photons, is proposed. The 2D resonator is a freestanding van der Waals heterostructure (which may consist of hexagonal boron nitride, graphene, or other 2D materials) that hosts a quantum emitter. The mechanical vibration (phonon) of the 2D resonator interacts with optical photons by shifting the optical transition frequency of the single-photon emitter with strain or the Stark effect. The mechanical vibration couples to microwave photons by shifting the resonant frequency of an LC circuit that includes the membrane. Thanks to the small mass of the 2D resonator, both the single-photon optomechanical coupling strength and the electromechanical coupling strength can reach the strong coupling regime. This provides a way for high-speed quantum state transfer between a microwave photon, a phonon, and an optical photon.

Single‐Photon Emitters in Layered Van der Waals Materials

“…In a similar approach, the system depicted in Figure 8b is considered and a quantum transducer that transfers single microwave photons to visible photons is simulated. [175] The easy processability of the layered materials further allows to combine the layered materials with traditional resonator structures, e.g., in the form of a microdisk. [176] Inspired by the rich work on the optomechanics of other quantum emitters like quantum dots [177,178] or diamond color centers, [179,180] also vdW-based platforms are promising candidates for the interplay between the mechanical system and the optical or spin excitations of SPEs.…”

“…Adapted with permission. [ 175 ] Copyright 2020, Wiley‐VCH. c) Scanning tunneling microscopy image characterizing a crystal edge on Au(111) substrate (left).…”

“…The internal quantum dynamics introduced by the motion of the membrane can be probed by optical control. Adapted with permission [175]. Copyright 2020, Wiley-VCH.…”

Stability of the Discrete Time-Crystalline Order in Spin-Optomechanical and Open Cavity QED Systems

“…hBN has a very wide bandgap and outstanding chemical and thermal stability beyond that of graphene. As a type of van der Waals materials, hBN can be integrated with plasmonic, nanophotonic, and potentially more complex structures [46][47][48][49][50]. The hBN membranes have low mass, small out-of-plane stiffness, high elasticity modulus and strong tensile strength, which make them a promising candidate for high-Q mechanical resonators and high-sensitivity sensors [51,52].…”

Stability of the discrete time-crystalline order in spin-optomechanical and open cavity QED systems

“…hBN has a very wide bandgap and outstanding chemical and thermal stability beyond that of graphene. As a type of van der Waals materials, hBN can be integrated with plasmonic, nanophotonic, and potentially more complex structures [46][47][48][49][50]. The hBN membranes have low mass, small out-of-plane stiffness, high elasticity modulus and strong tensile strength, which make them a promising candidate for high-Q mechanical resonators and highsensitivity sensors [51,52].…”