Vacuum-Chamber Quantum Optical Communication With Ionized-Gas Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The yield of entangled photons is reduced due to surface degradation at the interface between the photon source and vacuum space, primarily caused by deposition of material from the vacuum, which affects the entanglement maintenance in optical communication fibers.
Innovation Solution
Introducing ionized gas and/or gaseous radicals in the optical path between the photon source and the optical communication fiber within the vacuum chamber to mitigate surface degradation and maintain entanglement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the photon source is kept in a vacuum chamber at cryogenic temperature to maintain entanglement, then thermal effects are reduced and entanglement is maintained, but material deposition from the vacuum degrades the surface of the photon source and reduces entangled photon yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ionized gas (plasma) into the vacuum chamber, converting the harmful vacuum environment into a beneficial one. The ionized gas species actively clean the surface of the photon source by removing deposited material, thus converting the harmful deposition effect into a beneficial self-cleaning process that maintains high entangled photon yield while preserving entanglement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the vacuum environment by introducing ionized gas. This transforms the static vacuum into a dynamic plasma environment where ionized species continuously interact with surfaces. The parameter change from neutral vacuum to ionized gas enables active surface cleaning while maintaining the cryogenic temperature required for entanglement maintenance.
2Productivity
If ionized gas is continuously present in the vacuum chamber, then surface degradation is reduced, but the photon source may be heated and entanglement may be disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by pulsed plasma cleaning instead of continuous plasma presence. The ionized gas is introduced in controlled pulses that clean the photon source surface, then removed to allow the system to return to its normal cryogenic state. This periodic approach maintains surface cleanliness while preventing continuous heating and disturbance of the entangled photon source.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The introduction of ionized gas and/or gaseous radicals effectively reduces the degradation of entangled photon yield by preventing material deposition on the photon source and optical components, thereby enhancing the efficiency of quantum optical communication.
Implementation Method 1
supplying ionized gas and/or gaseous radicals in a part of an optical path for the photon between the photon source and the optical communication fiber
Implementation Method 2
Cryogenic cooling may be provided in the vacuum chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An entangled photon is produced by a photon source at cryogenic temperature in vacuum chamber and supplied to an optical communication fiber outside the vacuum chamber. Prior to generating the photon, ionized gas and/or gaseous radicals are supplied in a part of an optical path for the photon in a vacuum space between the photon source photon source and the optical communication fiber. This counteracts loss of entangled photon yield at entry of the photon from the photon source into the vacuum space.