SEMINAR:Engineering light-matter interfaces for quantum networks

SEMINAR:Engineering light-matter interfaces for quantum networks

Speaker: Erhan Sağlamyürek

Title:  Engineering light-matter interfaces for quantum networks

Date/Time: 23 December 2020/ 17:40 - 18:30

Zoom: Meeting ID913 8071 2409

Passcode:  354990

Abstract:The realization of a future quantum Internet relies on processing and storage of quantum information at local nodes and interconnecting distant nodes using photons [1]. Light-matter interfaces constitute building blocks for such networks: they allow for coherent control and reversible transfer of quantum information between “stationary” atoms and “flying” photons. Despite impressive progress over the past two decades, there are still several obstacles needed to be overcome for practical realizations. In my talk, I will address these challenges and present our experimental efforts in view of requirements of quantum networks. Particularly, I will focus on integrated light-matter interfaces based on rare-earth ions and show our demonstrations including the storage of photonic entanglement using these devices [2-4]. Furthermore, I will present a novel approach to develop a broadband spin-photon interface for long-lived storage and manipulation of light along with the proof-of-principle implementations in an ensemble of laser-cooled atoms [5] and a Bose-Einstein condensate [6]. Finally, I will discuss my research plans towards the realization of large-scale quantum networks and its potential applications, including quantum secure key distribution and distributed quantum computing.

1.     H. J. Kimble. Nature, 453 1023-1030 (2008).

2.     E. Saglamyurek et al. Nature, 469, 512-515, (2011).

3.     E. Saglamyurek et al. Nature Photonics, 9, 83-87 (2015).

4.     E. Saglamyurek et al. Nature Communications, 7, 11202 (2016).

5.     E. Saglamyurek et al. Nature Photonics, 12, 774-782 (2018).

6.     E. Saglamyurek et al.  Preprint at ArXiv. Quant-ph> arxiv:2010.15780 (2020).

Bio: Dr. Erhan Saglamyurek completed his BSc and MSc studies in experimental solid-state physics under the supervision of Prof Turan Ozbey at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey. In 2005, he moved to Austria for seeking opportunities in the field of quantum information technologies. There, he had an opportunity to work as a technical assistant in Prof. Anton Zeilinger’s group at the University of Vienna on an experiment-based project related to quantum cryptography. 

With this experience, in 2007, Dr. Saglamyurek joined the team of Prof. Wolfgang Tittel as one of his first team members for pursuing his doctoral studies at the University of Calgary in Canada. He earned his PhD degree in 2013 with specialization on the realization of solid-state quantum memories for long-distance quantum communication. After having completed his PhD, he stayed in the same group as a postdoctoral researcher for developing telecom-wavelength light-matter interfaces for fiber-based quantum networks.

In 2015, Dr. Saglamyurek joined the group of Prof. Lindsay LeBlanc at the University of Alberta in Canada and helped in the establishment of the new research laboratory on ultracold quantum gases. Since then, his research interests have been broadened to ultracold atoms, including Bose-Einstein condensates and their use for quantum information processing.

Recently, Dr. Saglamyurek has been appointed as a senior research associate to coordinate activities on quantum technologies at both the University of Calgary and University of Alberta. In this position, he assists several collaborative projects, including ground-to-satellite quantum communication, microwave-to-optical transduction for superconducting qubits, and quantum imaging for medical applications.

During his academic carrier, Dr. Saglamyurek has led several important projects and was a main contributor to breakthrough researches: among them are the first demonstration of quantum entanglement between photon and atoms in a solid, and exploration of a novel light-matter interaction technique.