Linking superconducting quantum devices to optical fibers via microwave-optical quantum transducers may enable large-scale quantum networks. For this application, transducers based on the electro-optic (EO) effect are promising for their direct conversion mechanism, high bandwidth, and potential for low-noise operation. The thin-film lithium niobate provides the reconfigurable micro-structure with large EO effect. Our group works on making effiicent microwave-to-optical transducer for the next generation large-scale quantum networks.

Cavity electro-optic for microwave-to-optical transduction [Jeffrey Holzgrafe, et al, Optica 7, 1714 (2020)]: we create an EO transducer in thin-film lithium niobate. We demonstrate on-chip transduction efficiencies of up to (2.7 ± 0.3) × 10−5 and (1.9 ± 0.4) × 10−6/µW of optical pump power.