Field-Deployable Quantum Memory for Quantum Networking

High-performance quantum memories are an essential component for regulating temporal events in quantum networks. As a component in quantum repeaters, they have the potential to support the distribu-tion of entanglement beyond the physical limitations of fiber loss. This will enable key applications such as quantum key distribution, network-enhanced quantum sensing, and distributed quantum computing. Here, we present a quantum memory engineered to meet real-world deployment and scaling challenges. The memory technology utilizes a warm rubidium vapor as the storage medium, and operates at room temperature, without the need for vacuum and/or cryogenic support. We demonstrate performance spec-ifications of high-fidelity retrieval (95%) and low operation error (10-2) at a storage time of 160 mu s for single-photon level quantum memory operations. We further show a substantially improved storage time (with classical-level light) of up to 1 ms by suppressing atomic diffusions. The device is housed in an enclosure with a standard 2U rackmount form factor, and can robustly operate on a day scale in a noisy environment. This result marks a step toward implementing quantum networks in the field.