Towards an efficient quantum network with parabolic mirror based nodes

Building large-scale quantum networks that link remote quantum processors or sensors is a key goal in quantum information science. Such networks would enable a range of quantum-enhanced applications, but practical implementations are limited by inefficient light–matter interfaces and the difficulty of scaling stable, repeatable networking nodes.

We have demonstrated a compact, plug-and-play networking node based on a high-NA parabolic mirror to overcome these limitations[1]. The parabolic mirror serves a dual purpose, delivering the dipole trap and collecting emitted photons along the same optical axis. Its geometry provides intrinsic mode matching into a single-mode fiber, enabling a single-photon collection efficiency of 6.6%, approaching the theoretical limit for free-space photon collection.

The node is built on an integrated on-chip platform: most optical components are pre-aligned and glued in vacuum and interfaced through optical fibers. This architecture opens up the possibility to be used as a plug-and-play repeater node that can be deployed without optical realignment.

Using this platform, we achieved atom–photon entanglement with a fidelity of 93% (98% after error correction) and a success probability of 3.6%, while maintaining robust operation. We have now realized two nodes based on the same parabolic-mirror design, with comparable performance. In this poster, we present our progress towards achieving atom–atom entanglement between these two nodes.