Benchmarking photon-photon interaction nodes for quantum communication

Summary form only given. Achieving photon-photon interactions is one of the main objectives of the quantum information technology community, since these interactions provide the basis for deterministic quantum gates with high fidelity. In the last few years new milestones in creating phase-shifts [1] and quantum gates[2] have been achieved. Researching resource-moderate experimental realizations for the future development of this field provides a scalable framework for devices and opportunities for deployment in quantum communication networks.We highlight photon-photon interactions in unexplored physical regimes that are outside the standard approach of single atom QED or Rydberg transitions. Building on the first complete quantum optical characterization of an engineered free space phase shift triggered via atomic Kerr nonlinearities [3], we characterize novel architectures using the interaction of single photons in both a room temperature atomic vapor and cold atomic ensembles in miniaturized cavity QED setups. These different systems provide very compelling pathways to achieving photonphoton interactions.