Toward distributed entanglement between neutral atoms using entangled photon pairs

Sharing quantum entanglement between different types of qubits is key to the development of quantum networks that connect different platforms. To this end, we propose to generate narrowband pairs of entangled photons via cavity-enhanced spontaneous parametric downconversion and transfer entanglement from photons to atoms. Such a protocol can be designed to interconnect qubits at different optical wavelengths without quantum transduction. Additionally, this protocol can produce a greater rate of entangled photon pairs than existing entanglement distribution protocols. We describe the progress towards generating narrowband entangled photon pairs at 852 nm for cesium atom qubits, and the steps towards entanglement transfer between these photons and individual cesium atoms in an optical lattice or optical tweezers.