Polarization-entangled photon pair sources based on spontaneous four wave mixing assisted by polarization mode dispersion

Photonic-based qubits and integrated photonic circuits have enabled demonstrations of quantum information processing (QIP) that promises to transform the way in which we compute and communicate. To that end, sources of polarization-entangled photon pair states are an important enabling technology, especially for polarization-based protocols. However, such states are difficult to prepare in an integrated photonic circuit. Scalable semiconductor sources typically rely on nonlinear optical effects where polarization mode dispersion (PMD) degrades entanglement. Here, we directly generate polarization-entangled states in an AlGaAs waveguide, aided by the PMD and without any compensation steps. We perform quantum state tomography and report a raw concurrence as high as 0.91$\pm$0.01 observed in the 1100-nm-wide waveguide. The scheme allows direct Bell state generation with an observed maximum fidelity of 0.90$\pm$0.01 from the 800-nm-wide waveguide. Our demonstration paves the way for sources that allow for the implementation of polarization-encoded protocols in large-scale quantum photonic circuits

Pulse Shaping Based on Integrated Waveguide Gratings

Temporal pulse shaping based on integrated Bragg gratings is investigated in this work to achieve arbitrary output waveforms. The grating structure is simulated based on the sidewall-etching geometry in an AlGaAs platform. The inverse scattering employin the Gel'fan-Levithan-Marchenko theorem and the layer peeling method provides a tool to determine grating structures from a desired spectral reflection response. Simulations of pulse shaping considered flat-top and triangular pulses as well as one-to-one and one-to-many pulse shaping. The suggested grating profiles revealed a compromise between performance and grating length. The integrated grating, a few hundred microns in length, could generate flat-top pulses with pulse durations as short as 500 fs with rise/fall times of 200 fs; the results are comparable to previous work in free-space optics and fiber optics. The theories and the devised algorithms could serve as a design station for advanced grating devices for, but not restricted to, optical pulse shaping.MAS

Integrated Sources of Polarization Entangled Photon Pair States via Spontaneous Four-Wave Mixing in AlGaAs Waveguides

Polarization-entangled photon pair states (PESs) are indispensable in several quantum protocols that should be implemented in an integrated photonic circuit for realizing a practical quantum technology. Preparing such states in integrated waveguides is in fact a challenge due to polarization mode dispersion. Unlike other conventional ways that are plagued with complications in fabrication or in state generation, in this thesis, the scheme based on parallel spontaneous four-wave mixing processes of two polarization waveguide modes is thoroughly studied in theory and experimentation for the polarization entanglement generation. The scheme in fact needs the modal dispersion, contradictory to the general perception, as revealed by a full quantum mechanical framework. The proper modal dispersion balances the effects of temporal walk-off and state factorizability. The study also shows that the popular standard platform such as a silicon-on-insulator wafer is far from suitable to implement the proposed simple generation technique. Proven by the quantum state tomography, the technique produces a highly-entangled state with a maximum concurrence of 0.97 from AlGaAs waveguides. In addition, the devices directly generated Bell states with an observed fidelity of 0.92 without any post-generation compensating steps. Novel suspended device structures, including their components, are then investigated numerically and experimentally characterized in pursuit of finding the geometry with the optimal dispersion property. The 700 nmx1100 nm suspended rectangular waveguide is identified as the best geometry with a predicted maximum concurrence of 0.976 and a generation bandwidth of 3.3 THz. The suspended waveguide fabrication procedure adds about 15 dB/cm and 10 dB/cm of propagation loss to the TE and TM mode respectively, on top of the loss in corresponding full-cladding waveguides. Bridges, which structurally support the suspended waveguides, are optimized using the particle swarm algorithm to maximize the power transmission, and they were experimentally verified. This work greatly simplifies the generation of the PES and identifies a novel device structure suitable for such the PES generation. In combination with the reported promising advances in interferometric components and single photon detectors implemented in AlGaAs, the result of this thesis represents a step toward realizing a complete integrated quantum photonic circuit empowered by polarization-based protocols.Ph.D

Low-power continuous-wave four-wave mixing wavelength conversion in AlGaAs-nanowaveguide microresonators

We experimentally demonstrate enhanced wavelength conversion in a Q ∼ 7500 deeply etched AlGaAsnanowaveguide microresonator via degenerate continuous-wave four-wave mixing with a pump power of 24 mW. The maximum conversion efficiency is −43 dB and accounts for 12 dB enhancement compared to that of a straight nanowaveguide. The experimental results and theoretical predictions agree very well and show optimized conversion efficiency of −15 dB. This work represents a step toward realizing a fully integrated optical devices for generating new optical frequencies

Technology developments from spacelab to space station

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