Eliminating photon transport in long-baseline optical interferometry using quantum memories

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the fundamental operating mechanisms of optical interferometry using quantum memory and entanglement. We show how these remove the optical delay line bottleneck. Quantum memory is not without its own set of challenges, some of which include very small bandwidths as well as limitations in storage time. We examine the influence of timing artifacts on memory photon capture probability and interferometric complex visibility. We highlight keystone areas of technology that require further development and are essential to realizing these opportunities, as well as ongoing work to overcome these challenges.

17 pages, 1 figure, Proceeding of SPIE Conference "Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation" (July 2026)