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arXiv:2509.03869 · Advanced Photonics

Electrically pumped ultra-efficient quantum frequency conversion on thin-film lithium niobate chip

Xina Wang, Xufeng Jiao, Bo Cao, Yang Liu, Xiu-Ping Xie, Ming-Yang Zheng, Qiang Zhang, Jian-Wei Pan

Published Jan 28, 2026• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Quantum frequency conversion (QFC) plays a crucial role in constructing seamless interconnection between quantum systems operating at different wavelengths. To advance future quantum technology, chip-scale integrated QFC components, featuring high efficiency, small footprint, low power consumption, and high scalability, are indispensable. In this work, we demonstrate the first hybrid integrated QFC chip on a thin-film lithium niobate platform that connects the telecom and visible bands. Benefiting from the periodically poled microring resonator with ultra-high normalized conversion efficiency of 386,000%/W, an ultra-low pump power of 360 μW is achieved, which is more than two orders of magnitude lower than the traditional straight waveguide scheme. By injecting current into the chip, an on-chip quantum efficiency of 57% and a noise count of ∼7000 counts per second are achieved. Such an electrically pumped, integrated, and scalable QFC chip would significantly advance the integration of quantum networks and the development of chip-scale quantum optical systems.

DOI
10.1117/1.ap.8.1.016011

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Quantum frequency conversion (QFC) plays a crucial role in constructing seamless interconnection between quantum systems operating at different wavelengths. To advance future quantum technology, chip-scale integrated QFC components, featuring high efficiency, small footprint, low power consumption, and high scalability, are indispensable. In this work, we demonstrate the first hybrid integrated QFC chip on a thin-film lithium niobate platform that connects the telecom and visible bands. Benefiting from the periodically poled microring resonator with ultra-high normalized conversion efficiency of 386,000%/W, an ultra-low pump power of 360 μW is achieved, which is more than two orders of magnitude lower than the traditional straight waveguide scheme. By injecting current into the chip, an on-chip quantum efficiency of 57% and a noise count of ∼7000 counts per second are achieved. Such an electrically pumped, integrated, and scalable QFC chip would significantly advance the integration of quantum networks and the development of chip-scale quantum optical systems.
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Abstract The lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) platform has revolutionized lithium niobate materials, and a series of quantum photonic chips have exhibited unprecedented performances. Quantum frequency conversion (QFC) that enables quantum state preservation during frequency conversion is crucial in quantum technology. This work demonstrates a low-noise QFC process on the LNOI nanophotonic platform, connecting telecom and near-visible bands. An internal conversion efficiency of 73% and an on-chip noise count of 900 counts per second (cps) are achieved. Furthermore, the preservation of quantum statistical properties is verified, indicating the QFC chip’s promise for extensive applications of LNOI integrated circuits in quantum information. Based on this chip, we constructed an upconversion single-photon detector with a detection efficiency of 8.7% and a noise of 300 cps, paving the way to integrated on-chip single-photon detection. The realization of a low-noise QFC device also provide a pathway for practical chip-scale QFC-based quantum systems in heterogeneous configurations.
Quantum frequency conversion (QFC) is essential for bridging the spectral gap between stationary qubits and low-loss optical communication channels. Practicable QFC interfaces connecting ultraviolet and telecommunication bands are of great significance but have remained elusive, constrained by the dual challenges of a high-performance frequency converter and effective noise suppression in short-wavelength pumping configurations. We address this by demonstrating the phase-matching mechanism with domain defects and differential-tuning behavior of the spontaneous parametric down-conversion noises. Based on a quantitative analysis of performance degradation induced by domain defects, we propose specific fabrication guidelines and experimentally achieve an ultrahigh normalized conversion efficiency of 839%/(W cm^{2}) for the fundamental guided mode in thin-film lithium niobate waveguides. Meanwhile, we reveal a new noise control mechanism for short-wavelength pumping by utilizing the differential-tuning behaviors of difference-frequency generation and spontaneous parametric down-conversion processes. Then a single-stage QFC from 393 nm to the telecom C band with a record-high external efficiency of 28.8% and an ultralow noise level of 35 counts per second is achieved experimentally. The proposed mechanisms would enable other QFCs with higher efficiency and lower noise, advancing the development of scalable quantum networks. Furthermore, it holds significant potential for driving progress in both classical and integrated nonlinear photonics.
Quantum frequency conversion (QFC) enables optical interfaces between dissimilar quantum systems, but suppressing noise while maintaining high conversion efficiency remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate that adapted poling in thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) waveguides reduces the pump-power requirement while shifting the dominant noise mechanism and its power scaling. In 2-cm-long waveguides, adapted poling enables maximum conversion efficiency at an on-chip pump power of 19±0.819\pm0.819±0.8~mW, reducing the required pump power by 8~dB and the total conversion noise by 14~dB relative to conventional periodic poling at their respective maximum-conversion operating points. Controlled measurements with different pump conditions and device configurations reveal a transition from predominantly quadratic noise scaling in periodically poled devices to predominantly linear scaling in adapted-poling devices. This transition accompanies a shift from noise dominated by cascaded second-harmonic generation and Stokes spontaneous Raman scattering to direct anti-Stokes spontaneous Raman scattering. These results establish adapted poling as an effective approach to suppressing nonlinear noise, enabling low-noise integrated frequency converters for quantum networks.
Signal photons emitted by quantum nodes typically fall outside the low-loss telecom window of optical fibers, leading to severe transmission losses. Quantum frequency conversion (QFC) offers an effective optical interface that bridges quantum nodes with telecom-band channels, enabling long-distance quantum communication. In this work, we demonstrate a compact, fiber-integrated QFC system with low noise and a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Using a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide, input photons at 637.2 nm are down-converted to telecom photons at 1588.3 nm. Our system achieves a total conversion efficiency of approximately 9%, with pump-induced noise suppressed to 154 Hz. For input photon rates of 32.7, 118.0, and 327.7 kHz, the corresponding SNRs are 12.3, 43.9, and 117.8, respectively. We further develop a theoretical model to simulate the entanglement fidelity between nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center spins and the frequency-converted telecom photons. At the emission rate of an NV center, our QFC system maintains an expected fidelity exceeding 52% over a transmission distance of 100 km. These findings highlight the potential of our QFC system for scalable, long-distance quantum networking.