Quantum circuit based on programmable optical ultrafast temporal interferomteric network elements
A quantum computing system is set forth, comprising a photon source for generating short duration single photon pulses, at least one temporal interferometric network for time-bin encoding each short duration single photon pulse in a single spatial mode, wherein the temporal interferometric network includes at least one optical switch, at least one birefringent material and at least one polarization element, and a photon detector for detecting time-of-arrival of photons output from the temporal interferometric network to measure the state of the photons.
1 . A quantum computing system, comprising:
a photon source for generating short-duration single photon pulses;
at least one temporal interferometric network element for time-bin encoding each short-duration single photon pulse in a single spatial mode, wherein the temporal interferometric network element includes a plurality of optical switches, birefringent material, and polarization elements combined to form a cascaded sequence of temporal mode couplers and phase shifters; and
a photon detector for detecting time-of-arrival of photons output from the temporal interferometric network to measure the state of the photons;
wherein varying the intensity and polarization of the photon pulses programs the temporal interferometric network element.
2 . The quantum computing system of claim 1 , wherein the temporal interferometric network element encodes the short duration single photon pulses in time bins of duration of hundreds of femtoseconds to tens of picoseconds.
3 . The quantum computing system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one temporal interferometric network element is formed inside an optical fiber.
4 . The quantum computing system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one temporal interferometric network element is formed inside a nonlinear bulk crystal.
5 . The quantum computing system of claim 1 , wherein the temporal mode coupler and phase shifter are formed using a strong laser pulse at a separate wavelength from the quantum signal, the strong laser pulse having an intensity sufficient to induce a measurable Kerr-effect polarization rotation on the single photon pulses.
6 . The quantum computing system of claim 3 , wherein the at least one optical switch is formed inside the optical fiber using the optical Kerr effect.
7 . The quantum computing system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one optical switch is formed inside the nonlinear bulk crystal using the optical Kerr effect.
8 . The quantum computing system of claim 4 , wherein the birefringent material is one of either Barium Borate, Quartz or Calcite.
9 . The quantum computing system of claim 1 , wherein the photon source comprises a laser source for generating short duration single photon pulses.
10 . A temporal interferometric network element for time-bin encoding short-duration single photon pulses in a single spatial mode, comprising a cascaded series of temporal mode couplers and phase shifters, each comprising a combination of an optical switch, birefringent material and polarization element, wherein each temporal mode coupler is configured to couple time bins of the single photon pulses.
11 . The temporal interferometric network of claim 10 , wherein the at least one optical switch is formed inside an optical fiber using the optical Kerr effect.
12 . The temporal interferometric network of claim 10 , wherein the at least one optical switch is formed inside a nonlinear bulk crystal using the optical Kerr effect.
13 . The temporal interferometric network of claim 10 , wherein the birefringent material is one of either Barium Borate, Quartz or Calcite.