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EPJ Web of Conferences

Fabrication and optical characterization of erbium-doped silicon diode for quantum communication applications

Giulio Tavani, G. Franzò, Michele Castriotta, Giorgio Ferrari, Francesco Picciariello, Giulio Foletto, Costantino Agnesi, Paolo Villoresi, Giuseppe Vallone, Davide Rotta, Chiara Barri, Erfan Mafakheri, Michele Celebrano, Marco Finazzi, Monica Bollani, Enrico Prati

Published Jan 1, 2022• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum Key Distribution allows two users to exchange secret keys and it is based on the transmission of single photons or attenuated laser pulses. Recently, sources based on multiple single-photon emitters were demonstrated to be suitable for QKD. Here, we present a CMOS compatible multiple single-photon emitters source realized on a SOI wafer by a standard silicon diode doped with erbium ions. Particular emphasis is placed on the fabrication of such a device enhancing the erbium electroluminescence signal by adopting a proper oxygen co-doping. Finally, electroluminescence characterization at room temperature of the device is presented.

DOI
10.1051/epjconf/202226601012

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Abstract We report the design, fabrication and optical characterization of silicon nanophotonic waveguides on an erbium doped crystal. The silicon waveguide allows for efficient optical addressing of erbium ions embedded near the crystal surface. We employed the transfer printing method to assemble the heterogeneous photonic structure in a simple pick-and-place manner. We observed coupling of the emission from erbium ions into the waveguide in the telecommunication wavelength band. The developed methodology opens the way to functional hybrid quantum devices mediating between photons, electrons and phonons.
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