Abstract
In this seminar, we will examine one example of a quantum interface, based on atomic ions and single photons. The quantized interaction between an atom and an electric field allows us to entangle information stored in one atom with information carried by one photon. Furthermore, this atom-photon entanglement can be harnessed to entangle distant ions with one another. In a prototype network, we have entangled two calcium ions over a distance of 230 m. I will describe how we hope to extend such networks in the future for applications in secure communication, distributed quantum computing, and interconnected quantum sensors.
