Two-stage, low noise quantum frequency conversion of single photons from silicon-vacancy centers in diamond to the telecom C-band

Abstract

The silicon-vacancy center in diamond holds great promise as a qubit for quantum communication networks. However, since the optical transitions are located within the visible red spectral region, quantum frequency conversion to low-loss telecommunication wavelengths becomes a necessity for its use in long-range, fiber-linked networks. This work presents a highly efficient, low-noise quantum frequency conversion device for photons emitted by a silicon-vacancy (SiV) center in diamond to the telecom C-band. By using a two-stage difference-frequency mixing scheme SPDC noise is circumvented and Raman noise is minimized, resulting in a very low noise rate of $10.4 \pm 0.7$ photons per second as well as an overall device efficiency of $35.6\, \%$. By converting single photons from SiV centers we demonstrate the preservation of photon statistics upon conversion.