8x8 Reconfigurable quantum photonic processor based on silicon nitride waveguides

The development of large-scale optical quantum information processing circuits ground on the stability and reconfigurability enabled by integrated photonics. We demonstrate a reconfigurable 8x8 integrated linear optical network based on silicon nitride waveguides for quantum information processing. Our processor implements a novel optical architecture enabling any arbitrary linear transformation and constitutes the largest programmable circuit reported so far on this platform. We validate a variety of photonic quantum information processing primitives, in the form of Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, bosonic coalescence/anticoalescence and high-dimensional single-photon quantum gates. We achieve fidelities that clearly demonstrate the promising future for large-scale photonic quantum information processing using low-loss silicon nitride.Comment: Added supplementary materials, extended introduction, new figures, results unchange

Silicon photonics open access foundry services review for emerging technology

This paper presents a summary review of some of the available foundry services offering Silicon Photonics, comparing the key technologies available to European technology innovators that drive the technology sector. The foundries providing these unique technologies include AMF, CEA Leti, CORNERSTONE, Global Foundries, ihp, imec, and LioniX International. The review will also show examples of Silicon Photonics in emerging application domains from selected foundries

Hybrid integrated semiconductor lasers with silicon nitride feedback circuits

Hybrid integrated semiconductor laser sources offering extremely narrow spectral linewidth as well as compatibility for embedding into integrated photonic circuits are of high importance for a wide range of applications. We present an overview on our recently developed hybrid-integrated diode lasers with feedback from low-loss silicon nitride (Si3N4 in SiO2) circuits, to provide sub-100-Hz-level intrinsic linewidths, up to 120 nm spectral coverage around 1.55 um wavelength, and an output power above 100 mW. We show dual-wavelength operation, dual-gain operation, laser frequency comb generation, and present work towards realizing a visible-light hybrid integrated diode laser.Comment: 25 pages, 16 figure

Determining position, rotation and orientation for tethered twin nano satellite to map data from an interferometer

Nanosat projects pose a relatively cheap and flexible method to obtain knowledge of space, the universe and the technologies needed for future investigations. One of the current frontiers is low frequency radio astronomy. On Earth LOFAR is measuring these signals, however the atmosphere, ionosphere and interference make space a better place for measurements especially for frequencies below 30 MHz. TwenteSat is a nano satellite student project which aims to bring two satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) attached to each other by a tether and together forming an interferometer. The practical, technological and measurement knowledge obtained may be used for future projects such as the OLFAR (Orbital Low Frequency ARray). TwenteSats’ satellite system will initially start as one satellite (10x10x30cm) and once in orbit change to two 10x10x10cm units connected by a tether. The interferometer will use two dipole antennas and is therefore direction sensitive. These antennas will be in line with or parallel to the tether and thereby have a donut shaped radiation sensitivity pattern with the tether in the middle of the donut. Rotation will be used to hold the nanosats apart by centrifugal force thereby also rotating the direction of the measurement. In order to map the data it is therefore necessary to know the orbit altitude, satellite system rotation and the satellite system orientation relative to Earth. To determine these parameters the usage of GPS, measurements from Earth and measurements on the nanosat itself will be discussed in general. These measurements will be conducted such that it is not necessary to know the altitude before they take place. In this paper different system level approaches to determine these variables will be discussed for a nanosat platform

From thin-air to flat-sat in 12 months: the Twentesat student project

TwenteSat aims to build a twin-satellite interferometer in space, a research satellite system in preparation of the OLFAR project. The project will be completely done by students that work on a voluntary basis. The target is to have a flat-sat of at least one of the satellites ready in a short timeframe, the reason for this is the wish to get relatively quick results as most students can’t work on the project for a long time, ideal would be 12 months A.K.A. 1 year of study. The first research on the project was done by September 2013 and most of the recruiting and acquiring finances still has to be done at this point in time. As a result of this the student team will face several problems. They have to adapt to working with a quickly changing group as the Twentesat student project experiences a generally high workforce turnover, and they need speedy access to money while still being highly unknown to the outside world. This paper analyses the group’s activities and future plans on how to achieve their goal of quickly building a flat-sat. As it is not possible to trust on the fact that students will stay involved for a long time projects will have to be divided in small tasks that students can start on quickly, won’t take too long, and can be done independently from other tasks. This will help future educational student projects to launch more successfully and with less problems

Inter-satellite communication link for a space based interferometer

Radio astronomy has been moving towards lower frequencies in recent years. This trend started with Earth bound large arrays like the low frequency array called LOFAR. After that an initiative to measure even lower frequencies started like the Orbiting Low Frequency Array (OLFAR) in space using a swarm of nano-satellites. Inspired by these initiatives, the goal of the TwenteSat student project is to create a space based interferometer using two tethered nanosatellites. A crucial part of this project is the inter satellite communication which allows data to be shared and control signals to be send between the separated satellites. The possibility of wired communication is examined, as well as wireless communication. In this paper a simple low power wireless communication system is proposed, with the use of commercial off the shelf (COTS) parts

Perceived value of student participation in the field of aerospace engineering from a student's perspective

The importance of student participation in space projects is well known. New students are needed to supplement the future workforce and both experience and enthusiasm are important factors to join any industry. Students can also offer fresh perspectives to existing problems in any field of engineering. It is also argued that it is very beneficial for the students themselves. This paper will clarify the point of view from students on student participation in aerospace engineering for their own interests, both personal and professional, as well as their general opinion on space research and development. Qualitative interviews were held with several groups of (former) students: Students not (yet) engaged in a large project; Students in the concept stage of a large project and students at the end stages of a large project. Both engineering and non-engineering students are of interest for this research. A broad range of questions is asked to the participants as this is mostly explorative research. The aim of this paper is to increase student participation by means of a better understanding of student expectations and experiences. Projects better suited to student needs could be developed in the future. With this better understanding and improved projects, more student projects could be successfully launched by both universities and corporations. This should benefit both educational and corporate interests in active student involvement as more research will be done by the students and more students will be engaged and motivated in the space industry. Due to the nature of qualitative interviews students will come with ideas on how to increase student participation and make student projects more successful, so we can relay these to educational institutions and companies

8×8 Programmable Quantum Photonic Processor based on Silicon Nitride Waveguides

Integrated universal linear optical networks are essential for the development of quantum information processing (QIP). We demonstrate a universal, reconfigurable, 8×8 photonic processor based on Si3N4 waveguides showing a variety of QIP primitives