Efficient microwave-optical conversion mediated by color centers in silicon

Quantum networks are expected to boost the quantum technology by enabling distributed quantum computing and quantum communication. A coherent converter between microwave and optical photons could enable the creation of these quantum networks where quantum information is locally processed in the microwave regime and distributed by optical photons. I will talk about the general requirements and challenges of building a microwave-optical converter with high conversion efficiency. Then, I will introduce our proposed magneto-optic converter, which is based on the effective nonlinearity of an ensemble of spin-bearing color centers implanted in silicon photonic resonator and coupled to a superconducting cavity. I will discuss the physics of the system and how it can be engineered to achieve near-unity conversion efficiency.