Borregaard, J.Zugenmaier, M.Petersen, J. M.Shen, H.Vasilakis, G.Jensen, K.Polzik, E. S.Sørensen, A. S.2016-06-142016Borregaard, J., M. Zugenmaier, J. M. Petersen, H. Shen, G. Vasilakis, K. Jensen, E. S. Polzik, and A. S. Sørensen. 2016. “Scalable photonic network architecture based on motional averaging in room temperature gas.” Nature Communications 7 (1): 11356. doi:10.1038/ncomms11356. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms11356.2041-1723http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:27320430Quantum interfaces between photons and atomic ensembles have emerged as powerful tools for quantum technologies. Efficient storage and retrieval of single photons requires long-lived collective atomic states, which is typically achieved with immobilized atoms. Thermal atomic vapours, which present a simple and scalable resource, have only been used for continuous variable processing or for discrete variable processing on short timescales where atomic motion is negligible. Here we develop a theory based on motional averaging to enable room temperature discrete variable quantum memories and coherent single-photon sources. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach to scalable quantum memories with a proof-of-principle experiment with room temperature atoms contained in microcells with spin-protecting coating, placed inside an optical cavity. The experimental conditions correspond to a few photons per pulse and a long coherence time of the forward scattered photons is demonstrated, which is the essential feature of the motional averaging.en-USJournal Article2016-06-1410.1038/ncomms11356