Accelerating Quantum Readout with Swabian Instruments Time Taggers - Lukin Group at Harvard

| 日期 31 March 2025

Scientific background: quantum computing and networking

In quantum computing and networking, precise timing and accurate photon detection are critical for advancing experiments that manipulate and measure quantum states. These technologies rely on advanced timing electronics and high-performance single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) for photon counting, which enable researchers to capture the rapid, intricate events that define quantum processes. When atoms are trapped, cooled, and manipulated to serve as qubits, they emit photons that reveal the states of these qubits, providing essential information for computation and entanglement tasks. Advanced timing electronics with synchronization capabilities can enhance the readout quality and collection efficiency, pushing the boundaries of quantum experimentation.

Introduction to Brandon Grinkemeyer’s work in neutral atoms

Brandon’s setup included an optical cavity in which light was collected by a fiber and split into two avalanche photodiode detectors (APDs) [1]. The signal from the APDs was then directed to different channels of the Time Tagger Ultra, to acquire photon arrival times with picosecond accuracy. Brandon’s experience with Time Tagger:

• Overall Experience: “I really like the Swabian Instrument’s usability and reliability. A senior student in my neighboring group said that the Time Tagger is his favorite instrument.”

• Data Acquisition: “The ability to tune the threshold level on the hardware and the adjustment of the delays and dead times for each channel independently offer a lot of flexibility. I still have not dived in too deep into all the capabilities from the Time Tagger, but I am very happy with what I have used so far.”

• Data Analysis: “Regarding the software engine, the API is very simple and convenient. We have only now started to use the GUI because of how easy the API was, but we’re starting to do it now.”

• Potential Next Steps: “In the next few months, we are considering exploring the Time Tagger X FPGA link for fast-feedback, low-latency close-loop implementations.”

As Lukin’s group continues to push the needle forward in the field of quantum computing and networking, they seek to improve photon collection efficiency and to explore the option of measuring other states of light, because, as Brandon would say, “losses make your quantum light more classical.”

Future work within Lukin’s group

Future work within Lukin’s group seeks to achieve remote entanglement by creating entangled states between two spatially separated atoms. This process involves synchronizing fluorescence events from distant atoms and sending their emitted photons through a beam splitter to establish entanglement. Advances in this direction are critical for building scalable, long-distance quantum networks for advanced quantum computing and communication applications.

References

[1] Brandon Grinkemeyer et al., Error-detected quantum operations with neutral atoms mediated by an optical cavity. Science 387, 1301-1305 (2025). DOI:10.1126/science.adr7075

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