Millisecond optical coherence and strong collective coupling in an integrated telecom rare-earth photonic platform
Researchers demonstrated millisecond optical coherence times and strong collective coupling in an integrated photonic platform using rare-earth ions at telecom wavelengths. The device integrates the ions into a chip, achieving long-lived optical transitions suitable for quantum memories. The work combines long coherence with strong light-matter interaction in a fiber-compatible wavelength band.
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What this could mean
- 0–2 yearsPlausible
This platform could enable a telecom-compatible quantum memory with millisecond storage times, forming a basis for a practical quantum repeater node within two years.
The demonstrated millisecond coherence and strong collective coupling directly address the core requirements for an efficient optical quantum memory. With these building blocks, implementing a memory protocol (e.g., AFC or EIT) is a near-term engineering step, likely achievable in the same group or by others adopting the platform.
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