Superconducting-qubit readout via low-backaction electro-optic transduction

Entangling superconducting qubits though optical interconnects will be critical for distributing quantum information from superconducting quantum processors through a future quantum internet. However, transducing quantum signals between the microwave and optical domain remains an outstanding goal and interfacing superconducting qubits with electro-optic elements presents significant challenges due to the deleterious effects of optical photons on superconductors. Here I will discuss results where we demonstrate readout of a superconducting transmon qubit via a continuously operated electro-optic transducer. The modularity of the transducer and circuit QED system used in this work enable complete isolation of the qubit from optical photons, and backaction on the qubit from the transducer is smaller than that imparted by thermal radiation from the local environment. Progress towards the transduction of quantum signals from a superconducting qubit through an electro-optomechanical transducer will be discussed.