PHOTONIC MODULATORS FOR CRYO-COMPUTING
Abstract
We propose to acquire a closed cycle cryostat with in-situ electrical measurement capability to research and develop photonic modula,tors at cryogenic temperatures. The progress in all types of quantum computing systems (including, superconducting, photonic, ion-tr,ap or cold-atom based) can be significantly accelerated by creating an ultra-compact, low-power and high-speed photonic modulator, w,hich is compatible with cryogenic temperatures. For photonic quantum computing, these modulators will help create efficient interfer,ometers, whereas for other quantum computing systems, these modulators will enable efficient photonic links to connect different qua,ntum computers or help miniaturize the bulk optics used to control the qubits. Creating such a photonic modulator is however an extr,emely challenging problem. Most materials do not exhibit a large change in the refractive index under external perturbations, and of,ten those changes diminish as we go to cryogenic temperatures. Moreover, from a practical point of view, making those modulators in,integrated silicon and silicon nitride platform will ensure scalability using existing nanofabrication and foundry services. We aim,to solve this problem by exploring four different directions: non-volatile phase change materials, electro-optic organic polymers, m,icro-electro-mechanical systems and acuosto-optic modulators. All these modulators are expected to work at very low temperatures, wi,thout any fundamental limitations. We have developed relevant fabrication techniques and characterization tools for all these, in co,llaboration with other research groups with expertise in material science and nanofabrication. Currently, however, all our measureme,nts are performed at room temperature or at 80K, due to the unavailability of a cryostat. The proposed closed-cycle cryostat will en,able going to a much lower temperature (4K) and help test the efficacy of these modulators at cryogenic temperatures. Specifically,,our goal will be todevelop a way to have at least ~10GHz modulation speed at low temperature with sub-fJ switching energy. Both elec,tro-optic polymers and phase change materials are expected to reach these performance metrics. Along with that, ~10 attojoule level,energy consuming modulators will be explored with sacrificing the modulation speed. For this mechanical tuning and acuosto-optic mod,ulation will be the ideal candidates.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 05, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212261
Entities
People
- Arka Majumdar
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Washington