Cavity-based quantum networks with single atoms and optical photons

Abstract

A vision has formed in recent years of the components necessary for a large-scale quantum network. Single trapped atoms can serve as the nodes of this network, with the links established by flying photons that are coupled to the atoms using optical resonators. This review describes progress towards the goal of multinode networks using the current generation of experiments, which have achieved unprecedented levels of atomic qubit control and light-matter coupling efficiencies.