© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

Terms Privacy Legal Notice

Twin-beam Optical Parametric Generation and Cascaded Processes in Hexagonally Poled Nonlinear Lattices

Katia Gallo, Martin Levenius, Matteo Conforti

Published Jan 1, 2015• 0 citations

Abstract

We review recent experimental and theoretical progress in the study of optical parametric generation and cascaded frequency up conversion in two-dimensional purely nonlinear lattices, relying on acoherent coupling of multiple resonances in the quadratic lattice. Since their original proposal (1), two dimensional (2D) nonlinear photonic crystals in periodically poled materials have been the subject of a number of experimental and theoretical investigations, exploring the enhanced possibilities to engineer the nonlinear dynamics of quadratic interactions afiorded in such structures (2,3). Most of the studies have concerned frequency up-conversion, until the recent demonstration of twin-beam optical parametric generation (TB-OPG) in 2D hexagonally poled crystals (4,5). TB-OPG experiments in hexagonally poled MgO:LiTaO3 lattices demonstrated enhanced para- metric gains as well as a rich spectral and angular response underpinned bythe coherent coupling of concurrent nonlinear processes throughshared signal or idlermodes. They provided evidence forrich interaction scenarios, generating multiple outputs in the infrared as well in the visible and encompassing also self-phase modulation and cascaded upconversion processes arising from the interplay of multiple lattice resonances.A good agreement was found with a simple model in- volving the cross-seeding of two non-collinear OPG processes via a common signal (idler), while the development of advanced ad-hoc simulation tools enabled to fully account for the complex nonlinear dynamics in the 2D lattices and faithfully reproduce the rich spectral-angular response seen in the experiments (6).

Related papers

Superresonant parametric generation in nonlinear photonic crystals

Ottavia Jedrkiewicz, A. Gatti, E. Brambilla +3 more

Summary form only given. The efficiency and engineering capabilities afforded by parametric processes in second-order [χ(2)] nonlinear media have tremendously benefitted from periodic poling technologies in ferroelectric materials such as LiNbO3, nowadays routinely exploited in optical parametric generators, amplifiers and oscillators, as well as high brightness sources of entangled photons [1, 2]. Nonlinear photonic crystals (NPCs) implemented by periodic poling, have also attracted a great deal of attention, since they provide additional degrees of freedom to coherently shape the angular and spectral response of parametric devices [3-4]. Following the first demonstration of coherently coupled twin-beam optical parametric generation (OPG) in a χ(2)NPC [4], a number of studies investigated their potential for classical and quantum applications [5-6].Here we demonstrate twin beam OPG in a hexagonally poled LiTaO3 NPC pumped at 527 nm and generating signal and idlers in the near-infrared (λS~800 nm) and telecom (λI~1550nm) ranges. We perform a complete spectral and angular mapping of its OPG response for different pump pulse energies (10 - 100μJ) and incidence angles (-2.5 to 2.5°), finding very good agreement between predictions (Fig. 1b-c) and experiments

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•Jun 1, 2017•0 citations

Coherent Difference Frequency Generation in Nonlinear Photonic Crystals

Ashraf Mohamed El Hassan, Henri Vo Van Qui, Katia Gallo

Two-dimensional lattices of the optical nonlinearity implemented by periodic poling in$\chi^{(2)}$materials afford additional degrees of freedom for enhanced gains in optical parametric generation [1–2] and the generation of multipartite photon entanglement in compact device formats [3]. So far all investigations have considered single-frequency excitation of the crystals in classical or quantum parametric downconversion regimes. However, the effects underpinned by the coherent coupling of multiple nonlinear resonances unique to 2D lattices, may be expected to further enlarge the spectrum of possibilities also in suitably seeded coherent parametric amplification and difference frequency generation (DFG) processes.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•Jun 26, 2023•0 citations

Optical parametric generation in purely nonlinear photonic crystals

Katia Gallo, Valdas Pašiškevičius, Fredrik Laurell

We demonstrate twin-beam parametric generation arising from the coherent locking of two resonances of a purely nonlinear lattice, implemented with hexagonally poled LiTaO3. The experiments provide a first example for the novel engineering capabilities affordable in frequency-downconversion with quadratic photonic crystals, to be exploited for novel parametric sources in classical and quantum optics.

International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks•Jun 1, 2011•0 citations

Broadband parametric processes in χ^(2) nonlinear photonic crystals

Matteo Conforti, Fabio Baronio, Martin Levenius +1 more

We develop a general model, based on a (2+1)D unidirectional pulse propagation equation, for describing broadband noncollinear parametric interactions in 2D quadratic lattices. We apply it to the analysis of twin-beam optical parametric generation in hexagonally poled LiTaO3, gaining further insights into experimental observations.

Optics Letters•Jun 4, 2014•13 citations

Quantum Optics in 2D Nonlinear Lattices

Katarina Stensson

In this work the properties of light produced by spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC) in 2D nonlinear lattices have been studied. A quantum mechanical model of 2D SPDC was formulated, solved in the general case, and analyzed in the special case when two di erent signals are coupled as a consequence of their idlers being degenerate in frequency and spatial propagation. According to the model these 'twin signals' are correlated in phase and amplitude, and the gain coe cient of the coupled processes enhanced by a factor √ 2. The analytically derived correlations and the gain enhancement was supported experimentally by measurements on a hexagonal lattice in a LiTaO3 crystal.

•Jan 1, 2014•0 citations

Concurrent optical parametric down-conversion in χ^(2) nonlinear photonic crystals

Lele Chen, Ping Xu, Y. F. Bai +5 more

We experimentally investigated concurrent parametric downconversion processes in a two-dimensional hexagonally poled lithium tantalate crystal. The substantial enhancement of parametric gain was observed when concurrent processes shared a common parametric beam. Both degenerate and nondegenerate concurrent parametric downconversion processes were studied. Analyses of the spatial forms and output angles showed a strong dependence on the working temperature, during which a well-defined beamlike parametric output was observed. Our results will stimulate the design for coherent high-gain generation of multiple parametric beams and also shed light on the compact engineering of path-entanglement with specific spatial forms based on concurrent spontaneous parametric downconversion processes.

Optics Express•May 22, 2014•13 citations

We review recent experimental and theoretical progress in the study of optical parametric generation and cascaded frequency up conversion in two-dimensional purely nonlinear lattices, relying on acoherent coupling of multiple resonances in the quadratic lattice. Since their original proposal (1), two dimensional (2D) nonlinear photonic crystals in periodically poled materials have been the subject of a number of experimental and theoretical investigations, exploring the enhanced possibilities to engineer the nonlinear dynamics of quadratic interactions afiorded in such structures (2,3). Most of the studies have concerned frequency up-conversion, until the recent demonstration of twin-beam optical parametric generation (TB-OPG) in 2D hexagonally poled crystals (4,5). TB-OPG experiments in hexagonally poled MgO:LiTaO3 lattices demonstrated enhanced para- metric gains as well as a rich spectral and angular response underpinned bythe coherent coupling of concurrent nonlinear processes throughshared signal or idlermodes. They provided evidence forrich interaction scenarios, generating multiple outputs in the infrared as well in the visible and encompassing also self-phase modulation and cascaded upconversion processes arising from the interplay of multiple lattice resonances.A good agreement was found with a simple model in- volving the cross-seeding of two non-collinear OPG processes via a common signal (idler), while the development of advanced ad-hoc simulation tools enabled to fully account for the complex nonlinear dynamics in the 2D lattices and faithfully reproduce the rich spectral-angular response seen in the experiments (6).

Summary form only given. The efficiency and engineering capabilities afforded by parametric processes in second-order [χ(2)] nonlinear media have tremendously benefitted from periodic poling technologies in ferroelectric materials such as LiNbO3, nowadays routinely exploited in optical parametric generators, amplifiers and oscillators, as well as high brightness sources of entangled photons [1, 2]. Nonlinear photonic crystals (NPCs) implemented by periodic poling, have also attracted a great deal of attention, since they provide additional degrees of freedom to coherently shape the angular and spectral response of parametric devices [3-4]. Following the first demonstration of coherently coupled twin-beam optical parametric generation (OPG) in a χ(2)NPC [4], a number of studies investigated their potential for classical and quantum applications [5-6].Here we demonstrate twin beam OPG in a hexagonally poled LiTaO3 NPC pumped at 527 nm and generating signal and idlers in the near-infrared (λS~800 nm) and telecom (λI~1550nm) ranges. We perform a complete spectral and angular mapping of its OPG response for different pump pulse energies (10 - 100μJ) and incidence angles (-2.5 to 2.5°), finding very good agreement between predictions (Fig. 1b-c) and experiments

Two-dimensional lattices of the optical nonlinearity implemented by periodic poling in

\chi^{(2)}

materials afford additional degrees of freedom for enhanced gains in optical parametric generation [1–2] and the generation of multipartite photon entanglement in compact device formats [3]. So far all investigations have considered single-frequency excitation of the crystals in classical or quantum parametric downconversion regimes. However, the effects underpinned by the coherent coupling of multiple nonlinear resonances unique to 2D lattices, may be expected to further enlarge the spectrum of possibilities also in suitably seeded coherent parametric amplification and difference frequency generation (DFG) processes.

In this work the properties of light produced by spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC) in 2D nonlinear lattices have been studied. A quantum mechanical model of 2D SPDC was formulated, solved in the general case, and analyzed in the special case when two di erent signals are coupled as a consequence of their idlers being degenerate in frequency and spatial propagation. According to the model these 'twin signals' are correlated in phase and amplitude, and the gain coe cient of the coupled processes enhanced by a factor √ 2. The analytically derived correlations and the gain enhancement was supported experimentally by measurements on a hexagonal lattice in a LiTaO3 crystal.

We experimentally investigated concurrent parametric downconversion processes in a two-dimensional hexagonally poled lithium tantalate crystal. The substantial enhancement of parametric gain was observed when concurrent processes shared a common parametric beam. Both degenerate and nondegenerate concurrent parametric downconversion processes were studied. Analyses of the spatial forms and output angles showed a strong dependence on the working temperature, during which a well-defined beamlike parametric output was observed. Our results will stimulate the design for coherent high-gain generation of multiple parametric beams and also shed light on the compact engineering of path-entanglement with specific spatial forms based on concurrent spontaneous parametric downconversion processes.