Speaker: Jeff Thompson (Princeton)

Host: Tom Iadecola

Title: Quantum technologies with rare earth ions

Abstract:  Atomic defects in solid-state crystals are widely explored as single-photon sources and quantum memories for quantum communications networks based on quantum repeaters. Rare earth ions, in particular Er³⁺, have several unique features including a telecom-band optical transition facilitating long-distance entanglement distribution, and compatibility with a broad range of materials and device structures. I will give an overview of recent work from our lab including fast photon emission from single Er³⁺ ions using silicon nanophotonic cavities [1], single-shot spin readout [2], sub-wavelength addressing based on spectral multiplexing [3] and coherent control of nearby nuclear spins [4]. Through systematic materials exploration, we have significantly extended the spin and optical coherence times of Er³⁺ ions, enabling indistinguishable single-photon emission [5]. I will conclude by discussing ongoing efforts to probe spin-spin interactions, and how these advances may be combined into a practical quantum repeater architecture.

[1]       A. M. Dibos, et al, PRL 120, 243601 (2018).

[2]       M. Raha, et al, Nat. Comm. 11, 1605 (2020).

[3]       S. Chen, et al, Science 370, 592 (2020).

[4]       M. T. Uysal, et al, arXiv:2209.05631.

[5]       S. Ourari et al, arXiv: 2301.03564.

Bio:  Jeff Thompson is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Princeton University. His work focuses on experimental atomic physics and quantum optics, with application to quantum technologies including quantum communication networks and quantum computing. His work has been recognized by several awards including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientist and Engineers, the DOE Early Career award, NSF CAREER and the 2023 New Horizons Prize in Physics.