Abstract

Quantum teleportation is a transfer of a quantum state between two objects. It is performed using a quantum (entangling) channel and a classical communication channel. Teleportation is an important ingredient in distributed quantum networks, and can also serve as an elementary operation in quantum computers. Here we demonstrate for the first time teleportation between objects of a different nature—light and matter, which respectively represent ‘flying’ and ‘stationary’ media. A quantum state of a few-photon pulse is teleported onto a macroscopic object (an atomic ensemble containing 10¹² caesium atoms). The fidelity higher than any classical communication can possibly achieve has been achieved.

© 2007 Optical Society of America