Benedikt Tissot

In an accompanying paper [arxiv:2511.04488], we introduced an approach to interface trapped-ion quantum processors with ensemble-based quantum memories by matching a spontaneous parametric down conversion source to both the ions and the memories. This enables rapid entanglement generation between single trapped ions separated by distances of hundreds of kilometers. In this article, we extend the protocol and provide additional details of the analysis. Particularly, we compare a double-click and single-click approaches for the ion edge nodes. The double-click approach relaxes the phase stability requirement but is strongly affected by finite efficiencies. Choosing the optimal protocol thus depends on the access to the phase stabilization as well as the efficiencies of the interfaces of the ions and ensemble-based memories.

Different quantum systems possess different favorable qualities. On the one hand, ensemble-based quantum memories are suited for fast multiplexed long-range entanglement generation. On the other hand, single-atomic systems provide access to gates for processing of information. Both of those can provide advantages for high-rate entanglement generation within quantum networks. We develop a hybrid architecture that takes advantage of these properties by combining trapped-ion nodes and nodes comprised of spontaneous parametric down conversion photon pair sources and absorptive memories based on rare-earth ion ensembles. To this end, we solve the central challenge of matching the different bandwidths of photons emitted by those systems in an initial entanglement-generation step. This enables the parallel execution of multiple probabilistic tasks in the initial stage. As a particular example, we show that our approach can lead to a significant speed-up for the fundamental task of creating ion-ion entanglement over hundreds of kilometers in a quantum network.

Matter qubit to traveling photonic qubit conversion is the cornerstone of numerous quantum technologies such as distributed quantum computing, as well as several quantum internet and networking protocols. We formulate a theory for stimulated Raman emission which is applicable to a wide range of physical systems including quantum dots, solid state defects, and trapped ions, as well as various parameter regimes. We find the upper bound for the photonic pulse emission efficiency of arbitrary matter qubit states for imperfect emitters and show a path forward to optimizing the fidelity. Based on these results we propose a paradigm shift from optimizing the drive to directly optimizing the temporal mode of the flying qubit using a closed-form expression. Protocols for the production of time-bin encoding and spin-photon entanglement are proposed. Furthermore, the mathematical idea to use input-output theory for pulses to absorb the dominant emission process into the coherent dynamics, followed by a non-Hermitian Schrödinger equation approach has great potential for studying other physical systems.