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Opto-Electronics Review

Nanophotonic technologies for single-photon devices

Annamaria Gerardino, Marco Francardi, Alessandro Gaggero, F. Mattioli, Roberto Leoni, Laurent P. Balet, Nicolas Chauvin, Francesco Marsili, Andrea Fiore

Published Jan 1, 2010• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract The progress in nanofabrication has made possible the realization of optic nanodevices able to handle single photons and to exploit the quantum nature of single-photon states. In particular, quantum cryptography (or more precisely quantum key distribution, QKD) allows unconditionally secure exchange of cryptographic keys by the transmission of optical pulses each containing no more than one photon. Additionally, the coherent control of excitonic and photonic qubits is a major step forward in the field of solid-state cavity quantum electrodynamics, with potential applications in quantum computing. Here, we describe devices for realization of single photon generation and detection based on high resolution technologies and their physical properties. Particular attention will be devoted to the description of single-quantum dot sources based on photonic crystal microcavites optically and electrically driven: the electrically driven devices is an important result towards the realization of single photon source “on demand”. A new class of single photon detectors, based on superconducting nanowires, the superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) are also introduced: the fabrication techniques and the design proposed to obtain large area coverage and photon number-resolving capability are described.

DOI
10.2478/s11772-010-0050-7

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Abstract The progress in nanofabrication has made possible the realization of optic nanodevices able to handle single photons and to exploit the quantum nature of single-photon states. In particular, quantum cryptography (or more precisely quantum key distribution, QKD) allows unconditionally secure exchange of cryptographic keys by the transmission of optical pulses each containing no more than one photon. Additionally, the coherent control of excitonic and photonic qubits is a major step forward in the field of solid-state cavity quantum electrodynamics, with potential applications in quantum computing. Here, we describe devices for realization of single photon generation and detection based on high resolution technologies and their physical properties. Particular attention will be devoted to the description of single-quantum dot sources based on photonic crystal microcavites optically and electrically driven: the electrically driven devices is an important result towards the realization of single photon source “on demand”. A new class of single photon detectors, based on superconducting nanowires, the superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) are also introduced: the fabrication techniques and the design proposed to obtain large area coverage and photon number-resolving capability are described.
Single photon technology is enabling for quantum communication and processing. Combining single photon sources, routing circuitry and highly efficient detectors in a high yield, low-loss and scalable fashion represent today a major challenge. Nanophotonic devices allow for the realization of on-chip small footprint architectures for generating, manipulating and detecting single photons. Waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire single photon detectors are today state-of-the art devices capable of detecting single photons propagating in an integrated photonic circuit with high efficiency, speed and low timing uncertainty. Their excellent metrics in the near-infrared allows to directly interface on-chip devices with existing C-Band communication technology systems. To move towards high communication speed, efficient detectors able to sustain Gcps count rate are desirable. Here we present the design process and the experimental characterization of a new generation of fast detectors, consisting of µm-long NbN superconducting nanowires embedded in a SOI two-dimensional photonic crystal cavity. Almost 70% efficiency at telecommunication wavelengths has been achieved with negligible dark counts and sub-ns recovery time, which could enable Gcps count rates.
The purpose of this issue is to highlight the recent progress and trends in the development of novel nano- and quantum photonic technologies. The articles published in this issue cover a broad range of areas, including: 1) novel nanophotonic light sources-both classical (lasers) and nonclassical (single- and entangled photon sources); 2) nonlinear optics in nanophotonic structures; 3) quantum optics and quantum information processing based on nanophotonics platform; 4) efficient devices for optical interconnects and optical information processing based on novel nanophotonic structures. This issue contains 25 papers, including eight invited, authored by well-established research groups and promising scientists from all over the world. The invited articles include extended reviews on entangled photon generation using silicon nanowire waveguides; cavity quantum electrodynamics and lasing oscillation in single quantum dot photonic crystal nanocavity systems; quantum plasmonic circuits; theoretical analysis of few-photon single-atom cavity quantum electrodynamics; semiconductor quantum dot micropillar microcavities for quantum optics in solid state; nanofiber-based optical trapping of cold neutral atoms; switching and counting with atomic vapors in photonic-crystal fibers; and production of multiple diamondbased single-photon sources. The contributed articles cover a broad variety of key nanophotonics and quantum photonics research areas, including recently obtained results on bright single-photon emission from a quantum dot in a circular Bragg grating microcavity, supercontinuum generation in nanostructured silicon waveguides, electrically driven photonic crystal nanocavity devices, and silicon quantum dots.
Quantum photonic circuits based on nanophotonic components hold promise for overcoming scalability limitations in optical quantum systems. Functional systems will require the co-integration of single photon sources, detectors and tunable photonic components. Waveguide integrated single photon detectors based on superconducting nanowires (SNSPDs) have been shown to fulfill the demanding requirements for on-chip quantum photonics. Because they provide very wide optical detection bandwidth, their use with optically pumped single photon sources poses severe challenges for on-chip filtering. We overcome these challenges by co-integrating electrically driven single photon sources with superconducting detectors. Single photon sources with nanoscale footprint are realized by depositing electrically contacted carbon nanotubes (CNTs) across nanophotonic waveguides. CNTs under electrical current bias are shown to emit non-classical light which is coupled efficiently into the underlying photonic framework. The CNTs are shown to provide high count rates in the MHz range. The statistical characterization of the CNT light source crucially relies on the high timing resolution of the SNSPDs which allows for measuring photon statistics for emitters with sub-100ps lifetime. The combination of top-down nanofabrication with deposition by electrophoresis provides a waferscale approach for realizing non-classical circuits on chip. Such hybrid quantum photonic devices therefore hold promise for realizing complex integrated devices without additional optical input ports.
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) have distinguished themselves as a near-optimal choice for a range of quantum information applications, including integrated photonics and quantum key distribution. But the most recent demands from the quantum domain are stretching their capabilities. In particular, photon number resolution has not been readily available in high-performance variants of the devices, and superconducting nanowires were generally thought not to be capable of intrinsic photon number resolution. Recently, significant results in this area have shown that photon number resolution is quite practical with SNSPDs. In addition, wider nanowires have shown good performance, suggesting that the devices can be fabricated using standard photolithography equipment. In this talk, I will review the SNSPD technology, as well as discuss our latest results.
Abstract Single‐photon detectors and nanoscale superconducting devices are two major candidates for realizing quantum technologies. Superconducting‐nanowire single‐photon detectors (SNSPDs) comprise these two solid‐state and optic aspects enabling high‐rate (1.3 Gb s −1 ) quantum key distribution over long distances (>400 km), long‐range quantum communication (>1200 km), as well as space communication (239 000 miles). The attractiveness of SNSPDs stems from competitive performance in the four single‐photon relevant characteristics at wavelengths ranges from UV to the mid‐IR: high detection efficiency, low false‐signal rate, low uncertainty in photon time arrival, and fast reset time. However, to date, these characteristics cannot be optimized simultaneously. In this review, the mechanisms that govern these four characteristics are presented, and it is demonstrated how they are affected by material properties and device design as well as by the operating conditions, allowing aware optimization of SNSPDs. Based on the evolution in the existing literature and state of the art, it is proposed how to choose or design the material and device for optimizing SNSPD performance, while possible future opportunities in the SNSPD technology are also highlighted.
In the last decade,more and more quantum information applications such as quantum key distribution have been extensively demonstrated.These emerging applications place rigorous demands on detector performance such as detection efficiency,intrinsic photon number resolving ability etc.that go beyond the capabilities of traditional single-photon detectors composed of either photomultiplier tubes(PMTs) or avalanche photodiodes(APDs).Fortunately,several new types of cryogenic detectors such as superconducting transition edge sensor(TES),superconducting nanowire single photon detector(SNSPD),and quantum-dot based single photon detector(QD SPD)have been realized recently.Here we review all kinds of single photon detector technologies at the present time. Advantages,disadvantages,and potential improvement of these techniques for quantum information applications are also discussed.