Physicists at the University of Basel, Switzerland, have now developed a network node for quantum communication networks that can store single photons in a vapor cell and pass them on later.
In quantum communication networks, information is transmitted by single particles of light (photons). At the nodes of such a network buffer elements are needed which can temporarily store, and later re-emit, the quantum information contained in the photons.
The team has developed a quantum memory that is based on an atomic gas inside a glass cell. The atoms do not have to be specially cooled, which makes the memory easy to produce and versatile, even for satellite applications.
Moreover, the researchers have realized a single photon source which allowed them to test the quality and storage time of the quantum memory.
The paper has been published in the journal PRX Quantum.
