On-Chip OPO Networks for Quantum Photonics
Abstract
In one hand, optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) have been one of the most intriguing and ubiquitous nonlinear resonators in photonics. In quantum optics, OPOs have been extensively used as the engines for quantum state generation in numerous architectures including the recent quantum photonic demonstrations. In classical optics, they have been extensively used as coherent sources, from broadband frequency combs to long-wavelength tunable sources, and for studying intriguing nonlinear physics from soliton formation to nonlinear dynamics. In integrated photonics, special attention has been focused on OPOs with cubic or Kerr nonlinearities because of the availability of high-Q resonators. However, cubic nonlinearity is inherently weak, and it warrants the use of high Q resonators to reach the parametric oscillation with reasonable pump powers. On the other hand, recent advances in integrated quadratic photonic platforms, which typically provide orders of magnitude stronger nonlinearities than Kerr, promise unprecedented opportunities for realization of scalable OPOs and their networks for quantum and classical photonics. On the other hand, networks of OPOs have attracted increasing attention recently due to providing a unique testbed for studying rich physics, from topological phases to quantum state engineering, and potentials for scalable quantum and classical computing architectures as well as advanced sensing mechanisms. This project builds on the recent work of the PI and collaborators on experiments with OPO networks and development of integrated quadratic photonics using dispersion engineered periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) including in the PI s laboratory to realize on-chip networks of OPOs and study them for quantum photonics. By combining system-level experimental studies on an integrated platform and theoretical investigations, the project aims to lay the foundation for development of large-scale programmable networks of nonlinear photonic resonators. These studies are expected to enable opportunities for computing and sensing in the quantum and classical regimes beyond what is available with the existing technologies. The project explores the frontiers of nonlinear and ultrafast optics in integrated PPLN to lay the foundation for quantum photonic engineering with on-chip OPO networks. The project aims to: (i) realize OPO networks on integrated PPLN, and explore paths for realization oflarge-scale networks, (ii) experimentally study quantum behaviors of on-chip OPO networks, which includes: a. their below-threshold behaviors and realization of entanglement and cluster states, b. potential paths for non-Gaussian operations, c. phase transitions in the classical and quantum regimes, and (iii) exploring avenues of further scalability toward wavelength-scale OPOs and massive networks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 15, 2023
- Source ID
- W911NF2310048
Entities
People
- Alireza Marandi
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- California Institute of Technology
- United States Army