R&D: Algorithmic Optimization of Quantum Optical Storage in Solids

Physical Review Research has published an article written by Yisheng Lei, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Applied Physics Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA, Haechan An, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Applied Physics Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA, and Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA, Zongfeng Li, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Applied Physics Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA, and Mahdi Hosseini, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Applied Physics Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA, and Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.

Abstract: “Quantum memory devices with high storage efficiency and bandwidth are essential elements for future quantum networks. Solid-state quantum memories can provide broadband storage, but they primarily suffer from low storage efficiency. We use passive optimization and algorithmic optimization techniques to demonstrate nearly a sixfold enhancement in quantum memory efficiency. In this regime, we demonstrate coherent and single-photon-level storage with a high signal-to-noise ratio. The optimization technique presented here can be applied to most solid-state quantum memories to significantly improve the storage efficiency without compromising the memory bandwidth.“