  We demonstrate entanglement distribution between two remote quantum nodes
located 3 meters apart. This distribution involves the asynchronous preparation
of two pairs of atomic memories and the coherent mapping of stored atomic
states into light fields in an effective state of near maximum polarization
entanglement. Entanglement is verified by way of the measured violation of a
Bell inequality, and can be used for communication protocols such as quantum
cryptography. The demonstrated quantum nodes and channels can be used as
segments of a quantum repeater, providing an essential tool for robust
long-distance quantum communication.
