212 research outputs found
Tuneable quantum interference in a 3D integrated circuit
Integrated photonics promises solutions to questions of stability,
complexity, and size in quantum optics. Advances in tunable and non-planar
integrated platforms, such laser-inscribed photonics, continue to bring the
realisation of quantum advantages in computation and metrology ever closer,
perhaps most easily seen in multi-path interferometry. Here we demonstrate
control of two-photon interference in a chip-scale 3D multi-path
interferometer, showing a reduced periodicity and enhanced visibility compared
to single photon measurements. Observed non-classical visibilities are widely
tunable, and explained well by theoretical predictions based on classical
measurements. With these predictions we extract a Fisher information
approaching a theoretical maximum, demonstrating the capability of the device
for quantum enhanced phase measurements.Comment: 11 pages, 24 figure
Generation of heralded single photons beyond 1100 nm by spontaneous four-wave mixing in a side-stressed femtosecond laser-written waveguide
We demonstrate a monolithically integrable heralded photon source in a
femtosecond laser direct written glass waveguide. The generation of photon
pairs with a wide wavelength separation requires a concomitant large
birefringence in the normal dispersion regime. Here, by incorporation of
side-stress tracks, we produce a waveguide with a birefringence of
and propagation loss as low as 0.21 dB/cm near 980~nm. We
measure photon pairs with 300~nm wavelength separation at an internal
generation rate exceeding /s. The second order correlations
indicate that the generated photon pairs are in a strongly non-classical
regime.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Investigation of ultrafast laser photonic material interactions: challenges for directly written glass photonics
Currently, direct-write waveguide fabrication is probably the most widely
studied application of femtosecond laser micromachining in transparent
dielectrics. Devices such as buried waveguides, power splitters, couplers,
gratings and optical amplifiers have all been demonstrated. Waveguide
properties depend critically on the sample material properties and writing
laser characteristics. In this paper we discuss the challenges facing
researchers using the femtosecond laser direct-write technique with specific
emphasis being placed on the suitability of fused silica and phosphate glass as
device hosts for different applications.Comment: 11 pages, 87 references, 11 figures. Article in revie
Fabrication of high quality sub-micron Au gratings over large areas with pulsed laser interference lithography for SPR sensors
Metallic gratings were fabricated using high energy laser interference
lithography with a frequency tripled Nd:YAG nanosecond laser. The grating
structures were first recorded in a photosensitive layer and afterwards
transferred to an Au film. High quality Au gratings with a period of 770 nm and
peak-to-valley heights of 20-60 nm exhibiting plasmonic resonance response were
successfully designed, fabricated and characterized.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure
On-chip generation of heralded photon-number states
Beyond the use of genuine monolithic integrated optical platforms, we report
here a hybrid strategy enabling on-chip generation of configurable heralded
two-photon states. More specifically, we combine two different fabrication
techniques, \textit{i.e.}, non-linear waveguides on lithium niobate for
efficient photon-pair generation and femtosecond-laser-direct-written
waveguides on glass for photon manipulation. Through real-time device
manipulation capabilities, a variety of path-coded heralded two-photon states
can be produced, ranging from product to entangled states. Those states are
engineered with high levels of purity, assessed by fidelities of 99.58\%
and 95.08\%, respectively, obtained via quantum interferometric
measurements. Our strategy therefore stands as a milestone for further
exploiting entanglement-based protocols, relying on engineered quantum states,
and enabled by scalable and compatible photonic circuits
Hybrid photonic circuit for multiplexed heralded single photons
A key resource for quantum optics experiments is an on-demand source of
single and multiple photon states at telecommunication wavelengths. This letter
presents a heralded single photon source based on a hybrid technology approach,
combining high efficiency periodically poled lithium niobate waveguides,
low-loss laser inscribed circuits, and fast (>1 MHz) fibre coupled
electro-optic switches. Hybrid interfacing different platforms is a promising
route to exploiting the advantages of existing technology and has permitted the
demonstration of the multiplexing of four identical sources of single photons
to one output. Since this is an integrated technology, it provides scalability
and can immediately leverage any improvements in transmission, detection and
photon production efficiencies.Comment: 5 pages, double column, 3 figure
Starlight Demonstration of the Dragonfly Instrument: an Integrated Photonic Pupil Remapping Interferometer for High Contrast Imaging
In the two decades since the first extra-solar planet was discovered, the
detection and characterization of extra-solar planets has become one of the key
endeavors in all of modern science. Recently direct detection techniques such
as interferometry or coronography have received growing attention because they
reveal the population of exoplanets inaccessible to Doppler or transit
techniques, and moreover they allow the faint signal from the planet itself to
be investigated. Next-generation stellar interferometers are increasingly
incorporating photonic technologies due to the increase in fidelity of the data
generated. Here, we report the design, construction and commissioning of a new
high contrast imager; the integrated pupil-remapping interferometer; an
instrument we expect will find application in the detection of young faint
companions in the nearest star-forming regions. The laboratory characterisation
of the instrument demonstrated high visibility fringes on all interferometer
baselines in addition to stable closure phase signals. We also report the first
successful on-sky experiments with the prototype instrument at the 3.9-m
Anglo-Australian Telescope. Performance metrics recovered were consistent with
ideal device behaviour after accounting for expected levels of decoherence and
signal loss from the uncompensated seeing. The prospect of complete
Fourier-coverage coupled with the current performance metrics means that this
photonically-enhanced instrument is well positioned to contribute to the
science of high contrast companions.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, accepted to Mon. Not. of Roy. Ast. Soc., 201
Point-by-point inscription of apodized fiber Bragg gratings
We demonstrate apodized fiber Bragg gratings inscribed with a point-by-point
technique. We tailor the grating phase and coupling amplitude through precise
control over the longitudinal and transverse position of each laser-inscribed
modification. This method of apodization is facilitated by the
highly-localized, high-contrast modifications generated by focussed IR
femtosecond laser inscription. Our technique provides a simple method for the
design and implementation of point-by-point fiber Bragg gratings with complex
apodization profiles.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, article in revie
Two-photon quantum walks in an elliptical direct-write waveguide array
Integrated optics provides an ideal test bed for the emulation of quantum
systems via continuous-time quantum walks. Here we study the evolution of
two-photon states in an elliptic array of waveguides. We characterise the
photonic chip via coherent-light tomography and use the results to predict
distinct differences between temporally indistinguishable and distinguishable
two-photon inputs which we then compare with experimental observations. Our
work highlights the feasibility for emulation of coherent quantum phenomena in
three-dimensional waveguide structures.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure
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