Efficient Quantum Transduction Using Anti-Ferromagnetic Topological Insulators

Transduction of quantum information between distinct quantum systems is an essential step in various applications, including quantum networks and quantum computing. However, quantum transduction needs to mediate between photons with vastly different frequencies, making it challenging to design high-performance transducers, due to multifaceted and sometimes conflicting requirements. In this work, we first discuss some general principles for quantum transducer design, and then propose solid-state anti-ferromagnetic topological insulators to serve as highly effective transducers. First, topological insulators exhibit band-inversion, which can greatly enhance their optical responses. Coupled with their robust spin-orbit coupling and high spin density, this property leads to strong nonlinear interaction in topological insulators, thereby substantially improving transduction efficiency. Second, the anti-ferromagnetic order can minimize the detrimental influence on other neighboring quantum systems due to magnetic interactions. Using MnBi₂Te₄ as an example, we showcase that unit transduction fidelity can be achieved with modest experimental requirements, while the transduction bandwidth can reach the GHz range. The strong nonlinear interaction in magnetic topological insulators can find diverse applications, including the generation of entanglement between photons of distinct frequencies.