Long-Distance Entanglement between a Multiplexed Quantum Memory and a Telecom Photon

Realization of long-distance quantum communication through the quantum repeater network requires a combination of some key elements, including a multiplexed quantum memory for storage of entanglement and a telecom photon for propagation of information through the fiber. Although impressive experimental advances have demonstrated the individual elements, combining these key capabilities together and realizing them in a single experimental system remains a significant challenge. Here, we report an experimental realization of long-distance entanglement between a multiplexed quantum memory with 49 individually accessible memory cells and a telecom photon after transmission in a 10-km optical fiber. Excitation of an atomic ensemble generates narrow-band polarization entanglement between a telecom photon of 1530-nm wavelength and another photon of 780-nm wavelength, which is then stored into a memory cell of a multiplexed atomic quantum memory and read out after a controllable delay. The entanglement is verified through quantum-state tomography after quantum storage in the atomic memory and fiber transmission of the telecom photon. This experiment demonstrates an important step towards realization of long-distance quantum communication networks.