Mainz 2026 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 29: Poster – Quantum Technologies I
Q 29.1: Poster
Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 17:00–19:00, Philo 2. OG
Coupling light from an airplane to a single ion — •Hans Dang1,2, Sebastian Luff1,2, Martin Fischer1, Sheng-Hsuan Huang1,2, Thomas Dirmeier1,2, Markus Sondermann1,2, Christoph Marquardt1,2, and Gerd Leuchs1,2 — 1Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany — 2Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, German
Trapped ions are promising candidates for establishing long-distance quantum networks. Their ability to reliably retain quantum information as quantum memories makes them ideal building blocks to create such networks [1]. However, the operation of a quantum network necessitates the exchange of information stored in quantum memories over long distances. An aerial link between ground stations is thus considered as a means to effectively transfer information. As a first step towards establishing long-distance communication, 935 nm photons originating from either a laser or a whispering gallery mode resonator on an airplane have been successfully coupled to a single 174Yb+ ion trapped in a parabolic mirror on the ground. Adaptive optics and fibers are used to collect and guide light from the airplane to the ion. The parabolic mirror then focuses the infrared light onto the ion from nearly full solid angle, increasing the efficiency of coupling photons to the ion [2]. This flight experiment is part of the larger German QuNET initiative and aims to develop the technology needed to interface light from a moving source with a single trapped ion.
[1] N. Sangouard et al., Rev. Mod. Phys. 83, 33 (2011)
[2] L. Alber et al., J. Eur. Opt. Soc.-Rapid Publ. 13, 14 (2017)
Keywords: Light-matter interaction; Parabolic mirror; Trapped ion; Quantum communication; Quantum key distribution