Optimal broad-band frequency conversion via a magnomechanical transducer

Abstract: Developing schemes for efficient and broad-band frequency conversion of quantum signals is an ongoing challenge in the field of modern quantum information. Especially the coherent conversion between microwave and optical signals is an important milestone towards long-distance quantum communication. In this work, we propose a two-stage conversion protocol, employing a resonant interaction between magnetic and mechanical excitations as a mediator between microwave and optical photons. Based on estimates for the coupling strengths under optimized conditions for yttrium iron garnet, we predict close to unity conversion efficiency without the requirement of matching cooperativities. We predict a conversion bandwidth in the regions of largest efficiency on the order of magnitude of the coupling strengths which can be further increased at the expense of reduced conversion efficiency.