About the project
Future quantum networks will need to connect technologies operating at very different wavelengths. This project will develop high-bandwidth quantum frequency converters using four-wave mixing in warm rubidium vapour, translating photons from visible single-photon sources and telecom channels to the near-infrared for direct interfacing with atomic quantum memories.
Future quantum networks will need to connect diverse technologies for generating, transmitting and storing quantum information. A major challenge is that these components often operate at very different optical wavelengths: single-photon sources may emit in the visible, communication channels favour telecom wavelengths, while atomic quantum memories operate at specific near-infrared transitions.
To overcome this challenge, this project will develop high-bandwidth quantum frequency conversion devices using four-wave mixing in warm rubidium vapour. You'll build and investigate two complementary interfaces: converting visible photons (630nm) from hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) single-photon sources and telecom photons (1529nm) from quantum communication channels to the near-infrared (795nm) for interfacing with atomic quantum memories. These interfaces will provide a route to connecting otherwise incompatible quantum technologies within future heterogeneous quantum networks.
You'll gain hands-on experience building atomic physics experiments and laser systems, investigating nonlinear light-matter interactions, and characterising conversion efficiency, bandwidth and noise. You'll progress from continuous-wave spectroscopy to nanosecond optical pulses and ultimately quantum frequency conversion at the single-photon level.
The project forms part of the international AL FreSQO collaboration, bringing opportunities to work with researchers developing hBN single-photon sources, atomic quantum memories and free-space quantum communication links. You'll gain extensive experience in experimental quantum optics, nonlinear optics, atomic physics, lasers, high-speed optical control and single-photon detection. You'll have flexibility to follow your particular research interests, with opportunities to engage with collaborators and industrial partners in the UK and abroad.
