We report a coherence-preserving photon frequency down-conversion experiment based on difference-frequency generation in a periodically poled Lithium niobate waveguide, at the single-photon level. The coherence of the process has been demonstrated by measuring the phase coherence of pseudo single-photon time-bin qubits after frequency conversion with an interference visibility of > 96 %. This interface could be of interest for quantum repeater based hybrid networks.

© 2010 Optical Society of America

1. N. Gisin and R. Thew, “Quantum communication,” Nat. Photonics (3),165–171 (2007). [CrossRef]
2. D. Stucki, C. Barreiro, S. Fasel, J.-D. Gautier, O. Gay, N. Gisin, R. Thew, Y. Thoma, P. Trinkler, F. Vannel, and H. Zbinden, “Continuous high-speed coherent one-way quantum key distribution,” Opt. Express 17, 13326–13334 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
3. H.-J. Briegel, W. D¨ur, J. I. Cirac, and P. Zoller, “Quantum repeaters: the role of imperfect local operations in quantum communication,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 81(26), 5932–5935 (1998). [CrossRef]
4. N. Sangouard, C. Simon, H. de Riedmatten, and N. Gisin, “Quantum repeaters based on atomic ensembles and linear optics,”(2009). arXiv:0906.2699.
5. B. Lauritzen, J. Miná?, H. de Riedmatten, M. Afzelius, N. Sangouard, C. Simon, and N. Gisin, “Telecommunication-wavelength solid-state memory at the single photon level,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 080502 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
6. C. Simon, H. de Riedmatten, M. Afzelius, N. Sangouard, H. Zbinden, and N. Gisin, “Quantum repeaters with photon pair sources and multimode memories,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 190503 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
7. I. Usmani, M. Afzelius, H. de Riedmatten, and N. Gisin, “Mapping multiple photonic qubits into and out of one solid-state atomic ensemble,” Nat. Commun. 1, 1–7 (2010). [CrossRef]
8. T. Chaneli`ere, D. N. Matsukevich, S. D. Jenkins, T. A. B. Kennedy, M. S. Chapman, and A. Kuzmich, “Quantum telecommunication based on atomic cascade transitions,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 093604 (2010). [CrossRef]
9. C. W. Chou, H. de Riedmatten, D. Felinto, S. V. Polyakov, S. J. van Enk, and H. J. Kimble, “Measurement-induced entanglement for excitation stored in remote atomic ensembles,” Nature 438, 828–832 (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
10. Z.-S. Yuan, Y.-A. Chen, B. Zhao, S. Chen, J. Schmiedmayer, and J.-W. Pan, “Entanglement demonstration of a BDCZ quantum repeater node,” Nature 454, 1098–1101 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
11. S. Olmschenk, D. N. Matsukevich, P. Maunz, D. Hayes, L.-M. Duan, and C. Monroe, “Quantum teleportation between distant matter qubits,” Science 323(5913), 486–489 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
12. W. Rosenfeld, S. Berner, J. Volz, M. Weber, and H. Weinfurter, “Remote preparation of an atomic quantum memory,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 98(5), 050504 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
13. S. Tanzilli, W. Tittel, M. Halder, O. Alibart, P. Baldi, N. Gisin, and H. Zbinden, “A photonic quantum information interface,” Nature 437, 116–120 (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
14. R. T. Thew, H. Zbinden, and N. Gisin, “Tunable upconversion photon detector,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 93, 071104 (2008). [CrossRef]
15. H. Takesue, “Erasing distinguishability using quantum frequency up-conversion,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 173901 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
16. L.-M. Duan, M. D. Lukin, J. I. Cirac, and P. Zoller, “Long-distance quantum communication with atomic ensembles and linear optics,” Nature 414, 413–418 (2001). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
17. N. Sangouard, C. Simon, J. Miná?, H. Zbinden, H. de Riedmatten, and N. Gisin, “Long-distance entanglement distribution with single-photon sources,” Phys. Rev. A 76, 050301 (2007). [CrossRef]
18. I. Marcikic, H. De Riedmatten, W. Tittel, H. Zbinden, and N. Gisin, “Long-distance teleportation of qubits at telecom wavelengths,” Nature 421, 509–513 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
19. R. T. Thew, S. Tanzilli, L. Krainer, S. C. Zeller, A. Rochas, I. Rech, S. Cova, H. Zbinden, and N. Gisin, “Low jitter up-conversion detectors for telecom wavelength GHz QKD,” N. J. Phys. 8, 32 (2006). [CrossRef]
20. C. Langrock, E. Diamanti, R. V. Roussev, Y. Yamamoto, M. M. Fejer, and H. Takesue, “Highly efficient single-photon detection at communication wavelengths by use of upconversion in reverse-proton-exchanged periodically poled LiNbO3 waveguides,” Opt. Lett. 30(13), 1725–1727 (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
21. M. A. Albota, and F. N. C. Wong, “Efficient single-photon counting at 1.55 mm by means of frequency conversion,” Opt. Lett. 29(13), 1449–1451 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
22. A. P. VanDevender, and P. G. Kwiat, “High efficiency single photon detection via frequency up-conversion,” J. Mod. Opt. 51, 1433–1445 (2004).
23. R. L. Sutherland, Handbook of Nonlinear Optics (CRC Press, 2003). [CrossRef]
24. R. T. Thew, D. Stucki, J.-D. Gautier, H. Zbinden, and A. Rochas, “Free-running InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode single photon counting at telecom wavelengths,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 201114 (2007).
25. K.-D. B¨uchter, H. Herrmann, C. Langrock, M. M. Fejer, and W. Sohler, “All-optical Ti:PPLN wavelength conversion modules for free-space optical transmission links in the mid-infrared,” Opt. Lett. 34(4), 470–472 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
26. M. H. Chou, J. Hauden, M. A. Arbore, and M. M. Fejer, “1.5-mm-band wavelength conversion based on difference-frequency generation in LiNbO3 waveguides with integrated coupling structures,” Opt. Lett. 23(13), 1004–1006 (1998). [CrossRef]
27. J. Pelc, C. Langrock, Q. Zhang, and M. M. Fejer, “Advanced architectures for low-noise frequency conversion of quantum states using lithium niobate waveguides,” Boulder SPW poster (2009). http://photon.jqi.umd.edu/.
28. P. Martelli, P. Boffi, M. Ferrario, L. Marazzi, P. Parolari, R. Siano, V. Pusino, P. Minzioni, I. Cristiani, C. Langrock, M. Fejer, M. Martinelli, and V. Degiorgio, “All-optical wavelength conversion of a 100-Gb/s polarization-multiplexed signal,” Opt. Express 20(17), 17758–17763 (2009). [CrossRef]
29. H. Takesue, “Single-photon frequency down-conversion experiment,” Phys. Rev. A 82, 013833 (2010). [CrossRef]
30. Y. Ding, and Z. Y. Ou, “Frequency downconversion for a quantum network,” Opt. Lett. 35(15), 2591–2593 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Appl. Phys. Lett.

• R. T. Thew, H. Zbinden, and N. Gisin, “Tunable upconversion photon detector,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 93, 071104 (2008). [CrossRef]
• R. T. Thew, D. Stucki, J.-D. Gautier, H. Zbinden, and A. Rochas, “Free-running InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode single photon counting at telecom wavelengths,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 201114 (2007).

J. Mod. Opt.

• A. P. VanDevender, and P. G. Kwiat, “High efficiency single photon detection via frequency up-conversion,” J. Mod. Opt. 51, 1433–1445 (2004).

N. J. Phys.

• R. T. Thew, S. Tanzilli, L. Krainer, S. C. Zeller, A. Rochas, I. Rech, S. Cova, H. Zbinden, and N. Gisin, “Low jitter up-conversion detectors for telecom wavelength GHz QKD,” N. J. Phys. 8, 32 (2006). [CrossRef]

Nat. Commun.

• I. Usmani, M. Afzelius, H. de Riedmatten, and N. Gisin, “Mapping multiple photonic qubits into and out of one solid-state atomic ensemble,” Nat. Commun. 1, 1–7 (2010). [CrossRef]

Nat. Photonics

• N. Gisin and R. Thew, “Quantum communication,” Nat. Photonics (3),165–171 (2007). [CrossRef]

Nature

• L.-M. Duan, M. D. Lukin, J. I. Cirac, and P. Zoller, “Long-distance quantum communication with atomic ensembles and linear optics,” Nature 414, 413–418 (2001). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• C. W. Chou, H. de Riedmatten, D. Felinto, S. V. Polyakov, S. J. van Enk, and H. J. Kimble, “Measurement-induced entanglement for excitation stored in remote atomic ensembles,” Nature 438, 828–832 (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• Z.-S. Yuan, Y.-A. Chen, B. Zhao, S. Chen, J. Schmiedmayer, and J.-W. Pan, “Entanglement demonstration of a BDCZ quantum repeater node,” Nature 454, 1098–1101 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• S. Tanzilli, W. Tittel, M. Halder, O. Alibart, P. Baldi, N. Gisin, and H. Zbinden, “A photonic quantum information interface,” Nature 437, 116–120 (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• I. Marcikic, H. De Riedmatten, W. Tittel, H. Zbinden, and N. Gisin, “Long-distance teleportation of qubits at telecom wavelengths,” Nature 421, 509–513 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Opt. Express

• P. Martelli, P. Boffi, M. Ferrario, L. Marazzi, P. Parolari, R. Siano, V. Pusino, P. Minzioni, I. Cristiani, C. Langrock, M. Fejer, M. Martinelli, and V. Degiorgio, “All-optical wavelength conversion of a 100-Gb/s polarization-multiplexed signal,” Opt. Express 20(17), 17758–17763 (2009). [CrossRef]
• D. Stucki, C. Barreiro, S. Fasel, J.-D. Gautier, O. Gay, N. Gisin, R. Thew, Y. Thoma, P. Trinkler, F. Vannel, and H. Zbinden, “Continuous high-speed coherent one-way quantum key distribution,” Opt. Express 17, 13326–13334 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Opt. Lett.

• Y. Ding, and Z. Y. Ou, “Frequency downconversion for a quantum network,” Opt. Lett. 35(15), 2591–2593 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• C. Langrock, E. Diamanti, R. V. Roussev, Y. Yamamoto, M. M. Fejer, and H. Takesue, “Highly efficient single-photon detection at communication wavelengths by use of upconversion in reverse-proton-exchanged periodically poled LiNbO3 waveguides,” Opt. Lett. 30(13), 1725–1727 (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• M. A. Albota, and F. N. C. Wong, “Efficient single-photon counting at 1.55 mm by means of frequency conversion,” Opt. Lett. 29(13), 1449–1451 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• K.-D. B¨uchter, H. Herrmann, C. Langrock, M. M. Fejer, and W. Sohler, “All-optical Ti:PPLN wavelength conversion modules for free-space optical transmission links in the mid-infrared,” Opt. Lett. 34(4), 470–472 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• M. H. Chou, J. Hauden, M. A. Arbore, and M. M. Fejer, “1.5-mm-band wavelength conversion based on difference-frequency generation in LiNbO3 waveguides with integrated coupling structures,” Opt. Lett. 23(13), 1004–1006 (1998). [CrossRef]

Phys. Rev. A

• H. Takesue, “Single-photon frequency down-conversion experiment,” Phys. Rev. A 82, 013833 (2010). [CrossRef]
• N. Sangouard, C. Simon, J. Miná?, H. Zbinden, H. de Riedmatten, and N. Gisin, “Long-distance entanglement distribution with single-photon sources,” Phys. Rev. A 76, 050301 (2007). [CrossRef]

Phys. Rev. Lett.

• H. Takesue, “Erasing distinguishability using quantum frequency up-conversion,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 173901 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• W. Rosenfeld, S. Berner, J. Volz, M. Weber, and H. Weinfurter, “Remote preparation of an atomic quantum memory,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 98(5), 050504 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• H.-J. Briegel, W. D¨ur, J. I. Cirac, and P. Zoller, “Quantum repeaters: the role of imperfect local operations in quantum communication,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 81(26), 5932–5935 (1998). [CrossRef]
• T. Chaneli`ere, D. N. Matsukevich, S. D. Jenkins, T. A. B. Kennedy, M. S. Chapman, and A. Kuzmich, “Quantum telecommunication based on atomic cascade transitions,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 093604 (2010). [CrossRef]
• B. Lauritzen, J. Miná?, H. de Riedmatten, M. Afzelius, N. Sangouard, C. Simon, and N. Gisin, “Telecommunication-wavelength solid-state memory at the single photon level,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 080502 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• C. Simon, H. de Riedmatten, M. Afzelius, N. Sangouard, H. Zbinden, and N. Gisin, “Quantum repeaters with photon pair sources and multimode memories,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 190503 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Science

• S. Olmschenk, D. N. Matsukevich, P. Maunz, D. Hayes, L.-M. Duan, and C. Monroe, “Quantum teleportation between distant matter qubits,” Science 323(5913), 486–489 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Other

• N. Sangouard, C. Simon, H. de Riedmatten, and N. Gisin, “Quantum repeaters based on atomic ensembles and linear optics,”(2009). arXiv:0906.2699.
• J. Pelc, C. Langrock, Q. Zhang, and M. M. Fejer, “Advanced architectures for low-noise frequency conversion of quantum states using lithium niobate waveguides,” Boulder SPW poster (2009). http://photon.jqi.umd.edu/.
• R. L. Sutherland, Handbook of Nonlinear Optics (CRC Press, 2003). [CrossRef]

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