29,607 research outputs found
Active Temporal Multiplexing of Photons
Photonic qubits constitute a leading platform to disruptive quantum
technologies due to their unique low-noise properties. The cost of the photonic
approach is the non-deterministic nature of many of the processes, including
single-photon generation, which arises from parametric sources and negligible
interaction between photons. Active temporal multiplexing - repeating a
generation process in time and rerouting to single modes using an optical
switching network - is a promising approach to overcome this challenge and will
likely be essential for large-scale applications with greatly reduced resource
complexity and system sizes. Requirements include the precise synchronization
of a system of low-loss switches, delay lines, fast photon detectors, and
feed-forward. Here we demonstrate temporal multiplexing of 8 'bins' from a
double-passed heralded photon source and observe an increase in the heralding
and heralded photon rates. This system points the way to harnessing temporal
multiplexing in quantum technologies, from single-photon sources to large-scale
computation.Comment: Minor revision
Frequency Multiplexing for Quasi-Deterministic Heralded Single-Photon Sources
Single-photon sources based on optical parametric processes have been used
extensively for quantum information applications due to their flexibility,
room-temperature operation and potential for photonic integration. However, the
intrinsically probabilistic nature of these sources is a major limitation for
realizing large-scale quantum networks. Active feedforward switching of photons
from multiple probabilistic sources is a promising approach that can be used to
build a deterministic source. However, previous implementations of this
approach that utilize spatial and/or temporal multiplexing suffer from rapidly
increasing switching losses when scaled to a large number of modes. Here, we
break this limitation via frequency multiplexing in which the switching losses
remain fixed irrespective of the number of modes. We use the third-order
nonlinear process of Bragg scattering four-wave mixing as an efficient
ultra-low noise frequency switch and demonstrate multiplexing of three
frequency modes. We achieve a record generation rate of
multiplexed photons per second with an ultra-low = 0.07, indicating
high single-photon purity. Our scalable, all-fiber multiplexing system has a
total loss of just 1.3 dB independent of the number of multiplexed modes, such
that the 4.8 dB enhancement from multiplexing three frequency modes markedly
overcomes switching loss. Our approach offers a highly promising path to
creating a deterministic photon source that can be integrated on a chip-based
platform.Comment: 28 pages, 9 figures. Comments welcom
Ring-resonator-based wavelength filters
Microring resonators (MR) represent a class of filters with characteristics very similar to those of Fabry–Perot filters. However, they offer the advantage that the injected and reflected signals are separated in individual waveguides, and in addition, their design does not require any facets or gratings and is thus particularly simple. MRs evolved from the fields of fibre optic ring resonators and micron scale droplets. Their inherently small size (with typical diameters in the range between several to tens of micrometres), their filter characteristics and their potential for being used in complex and flexible configurations make these devices particularly attractive for integrated optics or VLSI photonics applications.\ud
MRs for filter applications, delay lines, as add/drop multiplexers, and modulators will be covered in detail in this chapter, while other applications such as in optical sensing, in spectroscopy or for coherent light generation (MR lasers) are outside the scope of this chapter.\ud
This chapter focuses primarily on 4-port microrings, while 2-port devices will play a minor role here and are covered in more detail in Chap. 9. The present chapter starts with design considerations, the functional behaviour, and key characteristics of a single microring resonator and continues with the design of cascaded MRs allowing the implementation of higher order filters. Finally, complex devices like add-drop filters, tuneable dispersion compensators, all-optical wavelength converters, and tuneable cross-connects are treated.\u
Power system applications of fiber optics
Power system applications of optical systems, primarily using fiber optics, are reviewed. The first section reviews fibers as components of communication systems. The second section deals with fiber sensors for power systems, reviewing the many ways light sources and fibers can be combined to make measurements. Methods of measuring electric field gradient are discussed. Optical data processing is the subject of the third section, which begins by reviewing some widely different examples and concludes by outlining some potential applications in power systems: fault location in transformers, optical switching for light fired thyristors and fault detection based on the inherent symmetry of most power apparatus. The fourth and final section is concerned with using optical fibers to transmit power to electric equipment in a high voltage situation, potentially replacing expensive high voltage low power transformers. JPL has designed small photodiodes specifically for this purpose, and fabricated and tested several samples. This work is described
Reconfigurable Reflectarrays and Array Lenses for Dynamic Antenna Beam Control: A Review
Advances in reflectarrays and array lenses with electronic beam-forming
capabilities are enabling a host of new possibilities for these
high-performance, low-cost antenna architectures. This paper reviews enabling
technologies and topologies of reconfigurable reflectarray and array lens
designs, and surveys a range of experimental implementations and achievements
that have been made in this area in recent years. The paper describes the
fundamental design approaches employed in realizing reconfigurable designs, and
explores advanced capabilities of these nascent architectures, such as
multi-band operation, polarization manipulation, frequency agility, and
amplification. Finally, the paper concludes by discussing future challenges and
possibilities for these antennas.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figure
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