arXiv:1209.2099 · Optics Express
Ultra-low power generation of twin photons in a compact silicon ring resonator
Stefano Azzini, Davide Grassani, Michael John Strain, Marc Sorel, L. G. Helt, John E. Sipe, Marco Liscidini, Mattéo Galli, Daniele Bajoni
Abstract
We demonstrate efficient generation of correlated photon pairs by spontaneous four wave mixing in a 5 μm radius silicon ring resonator in the telecom band around 1550 nm. By optically pumping our device with a 200 μW continuous wave laser, we obtain a pair generation rate of 0.2 MHz and demonstrate photon time correlations with a coincidence-to-accidental ratio as high as 250. The results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions and show the potential of silicon micro-ring resonators as room temperature sources for integrated quantum optics applications.