The research team successfully implemented a feedforward operation-a technique that involves measuring a photon's state and immediately using that information to steer light behavior-with a latency of under 250 picoseconds. Previous attempts were hindered by delays in processing the photonic signals, limiting practical applications. The new system, developed by Dr. Frederik Thiele and Niklas Lamberty of the Mesoscopic Quantum Optics group, eliminates such bottlenecks through an advanced combination of superconducting detectors, tailored electronics, and cryogenic optical circuits.
"By integrating detectors, adaptive electronics, and optical components at cryogenic temperatures, we've achieved faster photon manipulation than any group before us," said Thiele. "This advancement allows us to develop new quantum-optic circuits for a range of cutting-edge applications."
The team employed superconducting nanowire detectors, capable of measuring single photons with remarkable accuracy. These components, along with custom-built amplifiers and modulators, functioned in a cryogenic environment at around -270 degrees Celsius. The integrated optical modulators used this data to either transmit or block light pulses with minimal energy loss and exceptional speed.
Their method hinges on detecting correlated photon pairs. Depending on the detection outcome, the circuit determines in real time whether to allow a photon to proceed. The compact, low-loss design minimizes thermal interference-critical for confined environments such as cryostats.
"Our demonstration shows that we can use superconducting and semiconducting technology to achieve a new level of photonic quantum control," Thiele noted. "This opens up opportunities for fast and complex quantum circuits, which could be vitally important for quantum information science and communication."
Research Report:Cryogenic feedforward of a photonic quantum state
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