Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a contract from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop integrated optical frequency shifters to enable Quantum-memory Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (QWDM).

PSI’s approach will enable the connection of multiple quantum memory registers across a free-space or fiber optical channel, increasing the bandwidth of near-term quantum networks by 10–100×. As many optical quantum memories operate at a single wavelength, we cannot readily apply wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) techniques to increase the bandwidth of a quantum link. To overcome this challenge, PSI will utilize high-efficiency frequency shifters at the transmitter to shift the output photon from each quantum-memory register within a memory unit onto a separate wavelength channel, which can then be combined using WDM techniques. These results, in conjunction with an architecture-design that can efficiently shift and route photons between quantum memory registers, will pave the way for the creation of highly-scalable quantum networks using QWDM.

The development of quantum communications and networks are key technologies to enable secure communication, sensor arrays, and quantum computer networks. PSI’s technology will enable wavelength-division multiplexing for quantum communications and networking, greatly increasing the bandwidth of free-space or fiber links for quantum memories as well as for single- and entangled-photon sources.