A scheme of quantum repeaters with single atom and cavity-QED

To implement long-distance quantum communication, quantum repeaters have been proposed. The distribution and storage of quantum entanglement are essential to implement quantum repeaters. Here, we propose a new quantum repeaters protocol which is based on single atom-cavity QED. We use simple long-life two-level atoms to store quantum entanglement unlike three-level atoms which are commonly used in other quantum repeaters proposals. The property of long life-time (T-1) and transverse decay time (T-2) between excited level and ground level, such as rare-earth atoms, may store quantum entanglement as long as possible. Modulations of cavity mode and rate of coupling between cavity mode and output mode are also key steps to our scheme. And the efficiency of our protocol is analyzed by quantum trajectory theory. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.