Lecture in Materials Science: Quantum optics with solid-state sources, by Carlos Antón Solanas

Author: Carlos Antón Solanas, Dep. Física de Materiales, Instituto Nicolás Cabrera, Instituto de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain

When: May, 19 - 12PM

Where: Salón de Actos, ICMM

Abstract: Quantum technologies expand along three main directions: computation, communication and sensing. 

Superconducting qubits and natural atoms currently lead in computation and simulation, with systems exceeding 100 qubits and progressing toward error correction [1–4]. Quantum photonic platforms, while trailing behind with ~10-qubit systems [5–8], hold promise for scalable quantum computing. Systems based on probabilistic photon sources offer potential for large-scale quantum computation [9,10], but open questions remain regarding their practical scalability [11]. In contrast, deterministic photon sources—using natural or artificial atoms (solid-state emitters)—present promising pathways for efficient, scalable quantum computing [11–14].

Photonics is the natural platform for quantum communication [15]. Recent advancements with weak coherent pulses and probabilistic photon sources have demonstrated long-distance quantum networks, including space-terrestrial links [16–19]. Semiconductor quantum dots, a leading deterministic photon source, have recently enabled quantum key distribution protocols with superior performance (over a certain range of channel losses) compared to traditional weak coherent pulse schemes [20]. In parallel, an expanding range of solid-state materials is being explored as efficient photon sources for fiber- and free-space-based communication applications [21–25].

This seminar will review the state-of-the-art in solid-state single-photon sources, focusing on self-assembled semiconductor quantum dots [26–29] and other emergent materials, such as defects and quantum dots in two-dimensional crystals [30–32]. I will highlight the important role of nanophotonics in enhancing light-matter interaction with optical resonators, enabling bright photon emission and scalable quantum entanglement generation [14,33,34]. Finally, I will discuss ongoing experimental efforts to harness (scalable) superradiant emission from solid-state devices, which have potential applications in metrology [35].

References 

[1]           S. Ebadi et al., Quantum phases of matter on a 256-atom programmable quantum simulator, Nature 595, 227 (2021).

[2]           D. Bluvstein et al., Logical quantum processor based on reconfigurable atom arrays, Nature 626, 58 (2024).

[3]           R. Acharya et al., Quantum error correction below the surface code threshold, Nature 1 (2024).

[4]           S. Bravyi, A. W. Cross, J. M. Gambetta, D. Maslov, P. Rall, and T. J. Yoder, High-threshold and low-overhead fault-tolerant quantum memory, Nature 627, 778 (2024).

[5]           H. Wang et al., Boson Sampling with 20 Input Photons and a 60-Mode Interferometer in a 1 0 14 -Dimensional Hilbert Space, Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 250503 (2019).

[6]           H.-S. Zhong et al., Quantum computational advantage using photons, Science 370, 1460 (2020).

[7]           A. Deshpande et al., Quantum computational advantage via high-dimensional Gaussian boson sampling, Sci. Adv. 8, eabi7894 (2022).

[8]           N. Maring et al., A versatile single-photon-based quantum computing platform, Nat. Photon. 18, 603 (2024).

[9]           K. Alexander et al., A Manufacturable Platform for Photonic Quantum Computing, arXiv:2404.17570.

[10]        E. Gibney, This billion-dollar firm plans to build giant quantum computers from light. Can it succeed?, Nature 635, 800 (2024).

[11]        S. C. Wein, T. G. de Brugière, L. Music, P. Senellart, B. Bourdoncle, and S. Mansfield, Minimizing Resource Overhead in Fusion-Based Quantum Computation Using Hybrid Spin-Photon Devices, arXiv:2412.08611.

[12]        P. Thomas, L. Ruscio, O. Morin, and G. Rempe, Fusion of deterministically generated photonic graph states, Nature 629, 567 (2024).

[13]        Y.-P. Guo et al., Boosted Fusion Gates above the Percolation Threshold for Scalable Graph-State Generation, arXiv:2412.18882.

[14]        H. Huet et al., Deterministic and Reconfigurable Graph State Generation with a Single Solid-State Quantum Emitter, arXiv:2410.23518.

[15]        P. P. Rohde et al., The Quantum Internet (Technical Version), arXiv:2501.12107.

[16]        J. Yin et al., Satellite-based entanglement distribution over 1200 kilometers, Science 356, 1140 (2017).

[17]        S.-K. Liao et al., Satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution, Nature 549, 43 (2017).

[18]        J.-G. Ren et al., Ground-to-satellite quantum teleportation, Nature 549, 70 (2017).

[19]        S.-K. Liao et al., Satellite-Relayed Intercontinental Quantum Network, Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 030501 (2018).

[20]        Y. Zhang et al., Experimental Single-Photon Quantum Key Distribution Surpassing the Fundamental Coherent-State Rate Limit, arXiv:2406.02045.

[21]        X. You et al., Quantum interference with independent single-photon sources over 300 km fiber, Adv. Photon. 4, 066003 (2022).

[22]        T. Gao, M. von Helversen, C. Antón-Solanas, C. Schneider, and T. Heindel, Atomically-thin single-photon sources for quantum communication, Npj 2D Mater Appl 7, 1 (2023).

[23]        F. Basso Basset et al., Daylight entanglement-based quantum key distribution with a quantum dot source, Quantum Sci. Technol. 8, 025002 (2023).

[24]        M. Zahidy et al., Quantum key distribution using deterministic single-photon sources over a field-installed fibre link, Npj Quantum Inf 10, 1 (2024).

[25]        Ö. S. Tapşın, F. Ağlarcı, and S. Ateş, Secure Quantum Key Distribution with Room-Temperature Quantum Emitter, arXiv:2501.13902.

[26]        N. Somaschi et al., Near-optimal single-photon sources in the solid state, Nat. Photonics 10, 340 (2016).

[27]        H. Ollivier et al., Reproducibility of High-Performance Quantum Dot Single-Photon Sources, ACS Photonics 7, 1050 (2020).

[28]        N. Tomm et al., A bright and fast source of coherent single photons, Nat. Nanotechnol. 16, 399 (2021).

[29]        X. Ding et al., High-Efficiency Single-Photon Source above the Loss-Tolerant Threshold for Efficient Linear Optical Quantum Computing, arXiv:2311.08347.

[30]        O. Iff et al., Purcell-Enhanced Single Photon Source Based on a Deterministically Placed WSe2 Monolayer Quantum Dot in a Circular Bragg Grating Cavity, Nano Lett. 21, 4715 (2021).

[31]        J.-C. Drawer et al., Monolayer-Based Single-Photon Source in a Liquid-Helium-Free Open Cavity Featuring 65% Brightness and Quantum Coherence, Nano Lett. 23, 8683 (2023).

[32]        M. Esmann, S. C. Wein, and C. Antón-Solanas, Solid-State Single-Photon Sources: Recent Advances for Novel Quantum Materials, Advanced Functional Materials 34, 2315936 (2024).

[33]        S. C. Wein et al., Photon-number entanglement generated by sequential excitation of a two-level atom, Nat. Photon. 16, 5 (2022).

[34]        T. Heindel et al., Exploring Photon-Number-Encoded High-dimensional Entanglement from a Sequentially Excited Quantum Three-Level System, Optica Quantum (2024).

[35]        V. Paulisch, M. Perarnau-Llobet, A. González-Tudela, and J. I. Cirac, Quantum metrology with one-dimensional superradiant photonic states, Phys. Rev. A 99, 043807 (2019).