Abstract: An optical switch and optical storage loop are used as the basis of a single-photon source and a quantum memory for photonic qubits. To operate as a single-photon source, the techniques include a source of a pair of photons, such as a parametric down-conversion crystal, which is known to emit photons in pairs. The detection of one member of the pair activates the switch, which re-routes the other member into the storage loop. The stored photon is then known to be circulating in the loop, and can be switched out of the loop at a later time chosen by the user, providing a single photon for potential use in a variety of quantum information processing applications. To operate as a quantum memory for photonic qubits, a single-photon in an arbitrary initial polarization state is coherently stored in the loop, and coherently switched out of the loop when needed.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for placing atoms inside an appropriate nanocavity for enhancing two-photon absorption and quantum information processing based on the Zeno effect. Techniques for fabricating suitable nanocavities include: 1) a short length of optical fiber polished on the ends with the ends coated to form suitable mirrors; 2) a continuous length of fiber with the equivalent of mirrors being formed within the fiber using Bragg gratings; 3) a single filament of glass (such as fused silica) being suspended between two mirrors (without any cladding) and surrounded by an atomic vapor, solid, or liquid; 4) a small glass sphere (such as fused silica) that has been melted on the end of an optical fiber; and 5) a small toroid (ring) of glass bent in a circle surrounded by suitable atoms.

Abstract: An optical switch and optical storage loop are used as the basis of a single-photon source and a quantum memory for photonic qubits. To operate as a single-photon source, the techniques include a source of a pair of photons, such as a parametric down-conversion crystal, which is known to emit photons in pairs. The detection of one member of the pair activates the switch, which re-routes the other member into the storage loop. The stored photon is then known to be circulating in the loop, and can be switched out of the loop at a later time chosen by the user, providing a single photon for potential use in a variety of quantum information processing applications. To operate as a quantum memory for photonic qubits, a single-photon in an arbitrary initial polarization state is coherently stored in the loop, and coherently switched out of the loop when needed.

Abstract: Techniques for high fidelity quantum teleportation include receiving an input photon representing a qubit. Ancilla photons are generated in a particular ancilla quantum state chosen to reduce a rate of error below a threshold error rate. The ancilla and the input photon are combined to populate output channels. A number of photons representing logical value 1 are measured in a subset of the output channels. A particular output channel is determined based on the measured number of photons. A teleported photon is obtained at the particular output channel with an error rate below the threshold error rate. These techniques allow the ancilla quantum state to be chosen to minimize the error despite the presence of losses and noise. Quantum logic operations are performed by teleporting two input qubits with the quantum state of the ancilla chosen to produce the desired logical result and reduce the error.

Abstract: Techniques are provided that use the quantum Zeno effect to implement practical devices that use single photons as the qubits for quantum information processing. In the quantum Zeno effect, a randomly-occurring event is suppressed by frequent measurements to determine whether the event has occurred. The same results can be obtained by using atoms or molecules or ions to react to the occurrence of the event. Techniques include directing one or more input qubits onto a device and applying a quantum Zeno effect in the device. The quantum Zeno effect is applied by consuming one or more photons in the device under conditions in which photons, that would otherwise be output by the device, do not represent a result of a particular quantum information processing operation. Devices implemented using the quantum Zeno effect can operate with low error rates without the need for high efficiency detectors and large number of ancilla.

Abstract: An optical switch and optical storage loop are used as the basis of a single-photon source and a quantum memory for photonic qubits. To operate as a single-photon source, the techniques include a source of a pair of photons, such as a parametric down-conversion crystal, which is known to emit photons in pairs. The detection of one member of the pair activates the switch, which re-routes the other member into the storage loop. The stored photon is then known to be circulating in the loop, and can be switched out of the loop at a later time chosen by the user, providing a single photon for potential use in a variety of quantum information processing applications. To operate as a quantum memory for photonic qubits, a single-photon in an arbitrary initial polarization state is coherently stored in the loop, and coherently switched out of the loop when needed.

Abstract: Techniques for high fidelity quantum teleportation include receiving an input photon representing a qubit. Ancilla photons are generated in a particular ancilla quantum state chosen to reduce a rate of error below a threshold error rate. The ancilla and the input photon are combined to populate output channels. A number of photons representing logical value 1 are measured in a subset of the output channels. A particular output channel is determined based on the measured number of photons. A teleported photon is obtained at the particular output channel with an error rate below the threshold error rate. These techniques allow the ancilla quantum state to be chosen to minimize the error despite the presence of losses and noise. Quantum logic operations are performed by teleporting two input qubits with the quantum state of the ancilla chosen to produce the desired logical result and reduce the error.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing logic operations using quantum polarization states of single photons, include a first polarizing beam splitter having first input spatial modes and first output spatial modes for a first set of orthogonal polarizations. A second polarizing beam splitter has a second input spatial mode and second output spatial modes for a second set of orthogonal polarizations. The second set of orthogonal polarizations is different from the first set. The second input spatial mode is aligned with a first detected output spatial mode. A single photon detector of multiple single photon detectors is disposed along each one of the second output spatial modes. A first device output carries an output photon based in part on a number of photons detected by the single photon detectors. Such logic operations may be used in quantum computers for quantum information processing.

Abstract: An optical method for quantum computing that makes use of nonlocal effects to construct the quantum gates themselves. A nonlocal interaction in which pairs of atoms interchange two photons produces a large nonlinear phase shift. These nonlinear phase shifts are used to construct quantum logic gates, such as a Controlled-NOT.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing logic operations using quantum polarization states of single photons, include a first polarizing beam splitter having first input spatial modes and first output spatial modes for a first set of orthogonal polarizations. A second polarizing beam splitter has a second input spatial mode and second output spatial modes for a second set of orthogonal polarizations. The second set of orthogonal polarizations is different from the first set. The second input spatial mode is aligned with a first detected output spatial mode. A single photon detector of multiple single photon detectors is disposed along each one of the second output spatial modes. A first device output carries an output photon based in part on a number of photons detected by the single photon detectors. Such logic operations may be used in quantum computers for quantum information processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that permit the transmission of secure communications. The invention uses quantum mechanical effects to establish nonlocal correlations between a pair of photons. This is analogous to an automatic encryption code that exists at only one location and is immediately destroyed after either of the photons is detected. This latter feature also provides a means for detecting any unauthorized tap on the transmission line.