Progress Towards an Efficient Quantum Network with Rubidium Atoms

We report on progress of an elementary quantum network between individual 87Rb atoms mediated by a photonic link. Each network node consists of a compact "plug-and-play" platform, which makes for a more readily deployable quantum communication testbed. In particular, by utilizing in-vacuum optics and optical fiber interfaces, the experiment footprint, including photon collection optics, is significantly reduced. In this first version, we implement a high-NA parabolic mirror for photon collection. In addition, we report on progress toward upgrading the system to use a near-concentric optical cavity for enhanced photon collection, which can be used to achieve atom-atom entanglement rates up to a few kHz, exceeding the current state of the art for neutral atoms and ions. This work was supported by NSF Award 2016136 for the QLCI center Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, and NSF Award 2228725.