Quantum Interconnects for Neutral-Atom Processors

Realizing the promise of quantum technologies hinges on our ability to efficiently connect and transfer information across different quantum systems. Such a quantum interconnect, which can link remote quantum systems, represents an essential component of quantum communication networks, distributed quantum sensors, and large-scale modular quantum computing architectures. While photons are ideal carriers to transmit quantum information, the implementation of optical quantum interconnects remains an outstanding challenge, due to the difficulty in coupling matter-qubits and light.

In this research project, we aim to develop, construct, and demonstrate a novel quantum interconnect that can link remote neutral-atom arrays, which have emerged as the most rapidly developing quantum information platform. Error-corrected quantum processing has recently been demonstrated in Rydberg-atom arrays, making the technology connecting different processing units the key next step towards large-scale, fault-tolerant modular quantum computation. This project will pursue a novel approach, combining individual qubits with mesoscopic atomic ensembles and exploiting the unique properties of Rydberg states, to facilitate remote quantum gate operations as well as high fidelity optical interfacing without the need for optical cavities.