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arXiv:1402.7202 · Laser & Photonics Review

Hybrid photonic circuit for multiplexed heralded single photons

Thomas Meany, Lutfi Arif Ngah, Matthew J. Collins, Alex S. Clark, Robert J. Williams, Benjamin J. Eggleton, Michael J. Steel, Michael J. Withford, Olivier Alibart, Sébastien Tanzilli

Published Mar 27, 2014• 116 citations
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Abstract

Abstract 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.

DOI
10.1002/lpor.201400027

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Abstract 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.
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 her- alded 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 inter- facing 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 tech- nology, it provides scalability and can immediately leverage any improvements in transmission, detection and photon production efficiencies.
We discuss the hybrid integration of multiple components for the production of telecom band single photon sources. We implement four, on-chip, waveguide channels capable of producing four spatially separated collinear pairs of single photons. Using laser inscribed waveguide circuits and point-by-point bre Bragg gratings (FBG), we interface, separate and lter generated photon pairs. We propose using fast switches to actively route multiple heralded single photons to a single output producing an enhanced rate while maintaining a xed noise level.
We report on the experimental realization of a multiple-DWDM-channel heralded single-photon source in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide. Our single photon at the telecom wavelength covers more than 40 channels of the ITU grid. All channels have virtually identical efficiencies, and the multi-photon emission probability is reduced by a factor up to more than 150 compared to a Poissonian light source. Together with the all-fiber structure, all these advantages make our heralded single-photon source suitable for real-world quantum networks. The implementation with a 50 MHz pulsed laser provides a data rate compatible with current quantum communication systems, while being able to be pumped at higher repetition rates.
Single photon sources based on spontaneous photon-pair generation have enabled pioneering experiments in quantum optics. However, their non-determinism presents a bottleneck to scaling up photonic and hybrid quantum-enhanced technologies. Furthermore, photon pairs are typically emitted into many correlated frequency modes, producing an undesirable mixed state on heralding. Here we present a complete fibre-integrated heralded single photon source that addresses both these difficulties simultaneously. We use active switching to provide a path to deterministic operation by multiplexing separate spontaneous sources, and dispersion engineering to minimise frequency correlation for high-purity single photon generation. All the essential elements -- nonlinear material with dispersion control, wavelength isolation, optical delay, and fast switching -- are incorporated in a low-loss alignment-free package that heralds photons in telecoms single-mode fibre. Our results demonstrate a scalable approach to delivering pure single photons directly into guided-wave photonic devices.
The non-deterministic nature of photon sources is a key limitation for single-photon quantum processors. Spatial multiplexing overcomes this by enhancing the heralded single-photon yield without enhancing the output noise. Here the intrinsic statistical limit of an individual source is surpassed by spatially multiplexing two monolithic silicon-based correlated photon pair sources in the telecommunications band, demonstrating a 62.4% increase in the heralded single-photon output without an increase in unwanted multipair generation. We further demonstrate the scalability of this scheme by multiplexing photons generated in two waveguides pumped via an integrated coupler with a 63.1% increase in the heralded photon rate. This demonstration paves the way for a scalable architecture for multiplexing many photon sources in a compact integrated platform and achieving efficient two-photon interference, required at the core of optical quantum computing and quantum communication protocols. Photonic quantum technologies will require efficient single-photon sources and spatial multiplexing has been explored as a route to achieve this. Here, the authors present a scheme to integrate several single-photon sources using spatial multiplexing for on-chip applications at telecommunications wavelengths.