Coherent control of a superconducting qubit using light

Understand

Quantum communications technologies require a network of quantum processors connected with low loss and low noise communication channels capable of distributing entangled states.

• Superconducting microwave qubits operating in cryogenic environments have emerged as promising candidates for quantum processor nodes.
• However, scaling these systems is challenging because they require bulky microwave components with high thermal loads that can quickly overwhelm the cooling power of a dilution refrigerator.
• Telecommunication frequency optical signals, meanwhile, can be fabricated in significantly smaller form factors while avoiding challenges due to high signal loss, noise sensitivity, and thermal loads due to their high carrier frequency and propagation in silica optical fibers.