Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

Spectroscopy of non-interfering photons through nonlinear integrated optics Mach-Zehnder interferometer

Marco Chiarini, Gian Giuseppe Bentini, Agostino Desalvo

Published May 16, 2017• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum optics has become a key field of development for investigations of quantum physics principles, leading to novel quantum technologies. In this view Integrated Optics allows implementing complex quantum circuits that can give rise to significant outcomes, difficult to reach using traditional approaches based on discrete components. In this framework, a non-linear Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) was implemented by using two commercial 50:50 directional fibre couplers. One of the MZI arms was equipped with a single mode Er:LiNbO3 optical waveguide, acting as non-linear component whereas the other MZI arm was provided with an undoped LiNbO3 single mode optical waveguide, used to obtain a phase shift through the application of a controlled voltage ramp. The injection in the MZI of a 980nm wavelength laser radiation allowed to collect structured interferogrammes, that could be ascribed exclusively to the pump photons, as all frequency conversion events are localized only in one arm of the Interferometer. The Fourier Transform elaboration of such interferogrammes, produces multiple peak spectra that tightly match the typical transition spectrograms of Er:LiNbO3 when excited by a 980nm radiation. Thus it is possible to perform a spectrometry of the noninterfering converted photons only by using the interfering pump photons. In this work, the experimental apparatus and the most interesting results, obtained in different experimental conditions, are described. Finally, a possible interpretation is outlined.

DOI
10.1117/12.2265742

Related papers

Fourier transform spectroscopy: a tool for quantum optics studies

Gian Giuseppe Bentini, M. Chiarini, Agostino Desalvo

Most of the experimental interferometric setup are based on the Mach-Zehnder geometry. Usually in the experimental configurations the photons travel in air, at a speed v independent of λ. An integrated optics approach appears necessary both for practical applications and because it can be useful for fundamental optics studies because the transmitted photons are in a spatial coherent state. We exploited a hybrid setup integrating optical fibres and monolithic optical waveguides to implement an asymmetric nonlinear Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (ANLI). One arm of the interferometer was equipped with a single mode Er:LiNbO3 waveguide, acting as nonlinear component whereas the other arm was an undoped LiNbO3 single mode waveguide, used to obtain a phase shift through the application of a voltage ramp. We injected in the ANLI a 980 nm laser radiation to collect interferograms that could be ascribed exclusively to the pump photons, as all frequency conversion events are localized only in one arm of the interferometer. The Fourier Transform analysis of the experimental data allowed us to perform a n Interaction-Free Quantum Optics experiment. This is a novel approach that can be used because in quantum mechanics the wave functions of a state, expressed in terms of two conjugate variables, are Fourier Transform pairs. In fact, operating in the Fourier Transform time-frequency space-domain, we recovered the spectral composition, in the wavenumber space-domain, of the photons generated by the excitation of an Er3+ doped crystal placed in one arm of the interferometer.

Italian National Conference on Photonic Technologies (Fotonica)•Jan 1, 2018•0 citations

Versatile integrated source of entangled photons at telecom wavelength in femtosecond-laser-written circuits (Conference Presentation)

Simone Atzeni, Giacomo Corrielli, Andrea Crespi +7 more

Entangled photons generation is an interesting field of research, since progress in this area will directly affect the development of photonic quantum technologies, including quantum computing, simulation and sensing. Several methods have been sifted to increase the performances of entangled photon sources and the integrated optics approach represents a promising strategy. In particular, integrated waveguide sources represent a robust tool, thanks to their stability and the enhancement of nonlinear light-crystal interaction provided by waveguide field confinement. Here, we show the versatility of a hybrid approach, realizing an integrated optical source for the generation of entangled photon-pairs at telecom wavelength. The nonlinear active medium used is lithium niobate, while the routing and manipulation of the generated signal is performed in aluminum-borosilicate glass photonic circuits. The system is composed of three cascaded devices. First, a balanced directional coupler at the fundamental wavelength equally splits the pump in the lithium niobate waveguides, which generate single-photon pairs through type 0 spontaneous parametric down-conversion process. A third chip, encompassing directional couplers and waveplates, closes the interferometer and recombines the generated photons, thus giving access to different quantum states of light: path-entangled or polarization-entangled states. A thermal phase shifter, which controls the relative phase between the interferometer arms, gives an additional degree of freedom for engineering the output state of the presented photon pairs source. All these components are entirely fabricated by femtosecond laser micromachining, a direct and very versatile technique that allows to process different kind of materials and realize high quality optical circuits.

Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation•Mar 14, 2018•0 citations

Phase-controlled integrated photonic quantum circuits

Brian J. Smith, Dmytro O. Kundys, Nicholas L. Thomas-Peter +2 more

Scalable photonic quantum technologies are based on multiple nested interferometers. To realize this architecture, integrated optical structures are needed to ensure stable, controllable, and repeatable operation. Here we show a key proof-of-principle demonstration of an externallycontrolled photonic quantum circuit based upon UV-written waveguide technology. In particular, we present non-classical interference of photon pairs in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer constructed with X couplers in an integrated optical circuit with a thermo-optic phase shifter in one of the interferometer arms.

arXiv:0905.2933•Optics Express•Jul 22, 2009•138 citations

Entangled photon generation using a fiber optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer incorporating the nonlinear effect in a fiber ring resonator

Preecha P. Yupapin, Suebtarkul Suchat

A new system for entangled photon-pair generation using an all-fiber optic scheme consists of a fiber optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) incorporating a fiber optic ring resonator. The Kerr nonlinearity effect in the fiber ring resonator is exploited for the generation of two independent squeezed beams. The advantage of such a system is that it requires a simple arrangement without any optical pumping parts or bulky optical components. Polarized light pulse trains are launched randomly into a MZI, and one part of the light is delayed in the longer path. The output pulses from both arms of the MZI enter a fiber optic ring resonator. A polarization controller controls the polarization states of the light pulses while they circulate in the ring resonator. The superposition of the nonlinear light pulses in a fiber optic ring resonator randomly occur. These forms are seen on an avalanche photodetector. The results are in good agreement with previous work.

Journal of Nanophotonics•Jan 1, 2007•35 citations

Mach–Zehnder interferometer with squeezed and EPR entangled optical fields

Xudong Yu, Wei Li, Shi-Yao Zhu +1 more

We study a scheme for Mach–Zehnder (MZ) interferometer as a quantum linear device by injecting two-mode squeezed input states into two ports of interferometer. Two-mode squeezed states can be changed into two types of inputs for MZ interferometer: two squeezed states and Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) entangled states. The interference patterns of the MZ interferometer vary periodically as the relative phase of the two arms of the interferometer is scanned, and are measured by the balanced homodyne detection system. Our experiments show that there are different interference patterns and periodicity of the output quantum states for two cases which depend on the relative phase of input optical fields. Since MZ interferometer can be used to realize some quantum operations, this work will have the important applications in quantum information and metrology.

Chinese Physics B•Feb 1, 2016•5 citations

Frequency Hopping in Quantum Interferometry: Efficient Up-Down Conversion for Qubits and Ebits

Paolo Mataloni, Gian Luca Giorgi, F. De Martini

A novel single-photon Mach-Zehnder interferometer terminated at two different frequencies realizes the nonlinear frequency conversion of optical quantum superposition states. The information-preserving character of the relevant unitary transformation has been experimentally demonstrated for input qubits and ebits. Besides its own intrinsic fundamental interest, the new scheme will find important applications in modern quantum information technology.

arXiv:quant-ph/0201116•Jan 25, 2002•0 citations
Quantum optics has become a key field of development for investigations of quantum physics principles, leading to novel quantum technologies. In this view Integrated Optics allows implementing complex quantum circuits that can give rise to significant outcomes, difficult to reach using traditional approaches based on discrete components. In this framework, a non-linear Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) was implemented by using two commercial 50:50 directional fibre couplers. One of the MZI arms was equipped with a single mode Er:LiNbO3 optical waveguide, acting as non-linear component whereas the other MZI arm was provided with an undoped LiNbO3 single mode optical waveguide, used to obtain a phase shift through the application of a controlled voltage ramp. The injection in the MZI of a 980nm wavelength laser radiation allowed to collect structured interferogrammes, that could be ascribed exclusively to the pump photons, as all frequency conversion events are localized only in one arm of the Interferometer. The Fourier Transform elaboration of such interferogrammes, produces multiple peak spectra that tightly match the typical transition spectrograms of Er:LiNbO3 when excited by a 980nm radiation. Thus it is possible to perform a spectrometry of the noninterfering converted photons only by using the interfering pump photons. In this work, the experimental apparatus and the most interesting results, obtained in different experimental conditions, are described. Finally, a possible interpretation is outlined.
Most of the experimental interferometric setup are based on the Mach-Zehnder geometry. Usually in the experimental configurations the photons travel in air, at a speed v independent of λ. An integrated optics approach appears necessary both for practical applications and because it can be useful for fundamental optics studies because the transmitted photons are in a spatial coherent state. We exploited a hybrid setup integrating optical fibres and monolithic optical waveguides to implement an asymmetric nonlinear Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (ANLI). One arm of the interferometer was equipped with a single mode Er:LiNbO3 waveguide, acting as nonlinear component whereas the other arm was an undoped LiNbO3 single mode waveguide, used to obtain a phase shift through the application of a voltage ramp. We injected in the ANLI a 980 nm laser radiation to collect interferograms that could be ascribed exclusively to the pump photons, as all frequency conversion events are localized only in one arm of the interferometer. The Fourier Transform analysis of the experimental data allowed us to perform a n Interaction-Free Quantum Optics experiment. This is a novel approach that can be used because in quantum mechanics the wave functions of a state, expressed in terms of two conjugate variables, are Fourier Transform pairs. In fact, operating in the Fourier Transform time-frequency space-domain, we recovered the spectral composition, in the wavenumber space-domain, of the photons generated by the excitation of an Er3+ doped crystal placed in one arm of the interferometer.
Entangled photons generation is an interesting field of research, since progress in this area will directly affect the development of photonic quantum technologies, including quantum computing, simulation and sensing. Several methods have been sifted to increase the performances of entangled photon sources and the integrated optics approach represents a promising strategy. In particular, integrated waveguide sources represent a robust tool, thanks to their stability and the enhancement of nonlinear light-crystal interaction provided by waveguide field confinement. Here, we show the versatility of a hybrid approach, realizing an integrated optical source for the generation of entangled photon-pairs at telecom wavelength. The nonlinear active medium used is lithium niobate, while the routing and manipulation of the generated signal is performed in aluminum-borosilicate glass photonic circuits. The system is composed of three cascaded devices. First, a balanced directional coupler at the fundamental wavelength equally splits the pump in the lithium niobate waveguides, which generate single-photon pairs through type 0 spontaneous parametric down-conversion process. A third chip, encompassing directional couplers and waveplates, closes the interferometer and recombines the generated photons, thus giving access to different quantum states of light: path-entangled or polarization-entangled states. A thermal phase shifter, which controls the relative phase between the interferometer arms, gives an additional degree of freedom for engineering the output state of the presented photon pairs source. All these components are entirely fabricated by femtosecond laser micromachining, a direct and very versatile technique that allows to process different kind of materials and realize high quality optical circuits.
Scalable photonic quantum technologies are based on multiple nested interferometers. To realize this architecture, integrated optical structures are needed to ensure stable, controllable, and repeatable operation. Here we show a key proof-of-principle demonstration of an externallycontrolled photonic quantum circuit based upon UV-written waveguide technology. In particular, we present non-classical interference of photon pairs in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer constructed with X couplers in an integrated optical circuit with a thermo-optic phase shifter in one of the interferometer arms.
A new system for entangled photon-pair generation using an all-fiber optic scheme consists of a fiber optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) incorporating a fiber optic ring resonator. The Kerr nonlinearity effect in the fiber ring resonator is exploited for the generation of two independent squeezed beams. The advantage of such a system is that it requires a simple arrangement without any optical pumping parts or bulky optical components. Polarized light pulse trains are launched randomly into a MZI, and one part of the light is delayed in the longer path. The output pulses from both arms of the MZI enter a fiber optic ring resonator. A polarization controller controls the polarization states of the light pulses while they circulate in the ring resonator. The superposition of the nonlinear light pulses in a fiber optic ring resonator randomly occur. These forms are seen on an avalanche photodetector. The results are in good agreement with previous work.
We study a scheme for Mach–Zehnder (MZ) interferometer as a quantum linear device by injecting two-mode squeezed input states into two ports of interferometer. Two-mode squeezed states can be changed into two types of inputs for MZ interferometer: two squeezed states and Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) entangled states. The interference patterns of the MZ interferometer vary periodically as the relative phase of the two arms of the interferometer is scanned, and are measured by the balanced homodyne detection system. Our experiments show that there are different interference patterns and periodicity of the output quantum states for two cases which depend on the relative phase of input optical fields. Since MZ interferometer can be used to realize some quantum operations, this work will have the important applications in quantum information and metrology.