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

Optics Letters

Scheme for a bidirectionally pumped quantum light source on a silicon chip

Haoran Ma, Liao Ye, Fanjie Ruan, Xiaoqing Guo, Yuehai Wang, Jianyi Yang, Xiaochen Luo

Published Dec 11, 2024• 7 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Large-scale quantum photonic circuits require integrating multiple single-photon sources, which are typically based on spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) in spiral waveguides or microring resonators (MRRs). Photons can be generated in both clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) orientations from a single source in a Sagnac configuration, showing promise for improving scalability. In this work, we propose a fully integrable scheme for bidirectional creation and usage of single photons. This concept is based on two asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers (AMZIs) integrated within the Sagnac loop. As a proof of concept, we fabricated a device with a spiral waveguide on a silicon chip and demonstrated its application as a quantum splitter and two multi-wavelength quantum light sources.

DOI
10.1364/ol.543943

Related papers

An on-chip quantum splitter of degenerate photon pairs using a spiral waveguide

Haoran Ma, Ye Hui Liao, Fanjie Ruan +2 more

Integrated sources of indistinguishable photons have garnered significant attention due to their applications in optical quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum networks. However, photons generated from spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) always occur in pairs, which need to be split into different modes for further applications. Here, we present a quantum splitter for degenerate photon pairs based on a silicon photonic chip. This device incorporates a Sagnac loop, two asymmetrical Mach-Zehnder interferometers (AMZIs), and a spiral waveguide. The spiral waveguide generates pairs of photons, the Sagnac loop facilitates bidirectional pumping of the source, and the two AMZIs enables the extraction of photons from the pump light. The photons generated from two directions interfere at a balanced multi-mode interferemeter (MMI) to enable the reversed Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) effect to take place. Our experimental results demonstrated an on-chip interference visibility of 96.63% and an off-chip HOM dip visibility of 90.93%, indicating that the generated photons are well-suited for further integration with other components in quantum applications.

Applied Optics and Photonics China (AOPC)•Dec 13, 2024•1 citation

Integrated spatially multiplexed single-photon sources in a bidirectionally pumped spiral waveguide

Fanjie Ruan, Haoran Ma, Li’ao Ye +4 more

Silicon-based integrated spiral waveguides are extensively used as on-chip single-photon sources. However, inherent uncertainties and limitations in single-photon fidelity pose significant theoretical performance bottlenecks. These challenges often necessitate the multiplexing of multiple sources. In this paper, we propose a novel scheme for spatial multiplexing using bidirectional spirals. By pumping a spiral waveguide bidirectionally, photon pairs are generated in both clockwise (cw) and counterclockwise (ccw) directions, each producing signal-idler photon pairs in a two-mode squeezed state. Consequently, a single spiral waveguide can function as two spatially multiplexed sources. Using CMOS fabrication technology, we constructed a bidirectional spiral waveguide structure. We measured the coincidence count rates, heralded second-order correlation function, and coincidence to accidental ratio (CAR) as functions of pump power, both before and after multiplexing. Our experimental results demonstrated a 1.67-fold increase in performance post-multiplexing. This finding underscores the potential of bidirectional spirals as spatially multiplexed sources, paving the way for the largescale integration of future photonic quantum chips.

Applied Optics and Photonics China (AOPC)•Dec 13, 2024•0 citations

Generation of frequency-degenerate photon pairs in a bidirectionally pumped silicon micro-ring resonator

Haoran Ma, Li’ao Ye, Fanjie Ruan +3 more

Integrated silicon micro-ring resonator (MRR) has been widely used as on-chip single photon source. In this paper, we introduce an approach to generate frequency-degenerate photons by bidirectionally pumping an add-drop micro-ring resonator (MRR) within a Sagnac loop configuration. This scheme facilitates the concurrent generation of photon pairs from both clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) directions, transforming a single MRR into a dual-source system. Through CMOS fabrication techniques, we realized the proposed device and conducted measurements of key parameters including the single side count rate (SSCR), coincidence count rate (CCR), and coincidence-to-accidental coincidence ratio (CAR) for both directional outputs. Notably, the CCRs exhibit remarkable similarity between the two sources, reaching approximately 550 Hz at an waveguide power of 0.59 mW. Furthermore, we observed a differential CAR, with the CCW direction yielding a lower value compared to the CW direction, with estimated maxima of 161 and 387, respectively. These findings underscore the viability of utilizing a singular MRR as a dual-source entity. Additionally, we outline the design of an on-chip structure for heralded Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference, necessitating 4-fold coincidences.Our work holds the promise of advancing the realm of large-scale integrated quantum photonic chips.

Applied Optics and Photonics China (AOPC)•Dec 21, 2023•0 citations

Quantum correlated photon-pair generation in silicon waveguides with on-chip notch filtering of pump laser

Jung Jin Ju, Jong-Moo Lee, Wook‐Jae Lee +1 more

We integrate a silicon waveguide spiral followed by on-chip cascaded Mach-Zehnder interferometers(MZIs) on a single chip. The silicon waveguide generates photon pairs by spontaneous four-wave mixing and the MZI filters separate the co-propagating pump (tel: +1 202.416.6191, e-mail: cstech@osa.org). © 2019 The Author(s)

Nonlinear Optics•Jan 1, 2019•0 citations

Silicon quantum photonics for pair photon sources and wavelength conversion

Bryn A. Bell, Jie He, Chunle Xiong +1 more

In this talk, I will discuss two applications of nonlinear quantum photonics in silicon nanowires: correlated photon pair sources and a single-photon wavelength converter. Correlated photon pairs can be generated in a nonlinear silicon waveguide through the spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) process, where two photons from a bright pump laser are annihilated, and a two photons are spontaneously created at different wavelengths (the signal and idler). However, indistinguishable photon pairs are of particular interest for two-photon interference experiments, meaning that the signal and idler should have the same wavelength and be entirely identical to each other. Indistinguishable pairs can be generated with the SFWM process. where two pump lasers create a degenerate signal and idler at the frequency mid-way between them. Since the two photons are indistinguishable, it is not trivial to divide them into separate waveguides so as to manipulate them individually. I will present recent results concerning a silicon quantum splitter, where degenerate pairs are created in a ring resonator which is pumped in both directions. The ring is coupled to a sagnac loop interferometer, which combines the two directions at a 50 : 50 coupler. Here, a quantum interference effect (reverse-Hong Ou Mandel interference) splits the photons to two output waveguides. This device is ultra-compact and the use of a sagnac loop means that the phase is automatically set correctly for the interference. I will also discuss progress on single photon wavelength conversion in silicon nanowires using the four-wave mixing Bragg scattering (FWMBS) process. Here, two intense pump beams are used to modulate a weak signal, causing it to shift to the idler by the frequency difference between the pumps. In principle, this can allow coherent, noiseless frequency conversion of single photon signals. Fig. 1(b) shows output spectra from a 6mm silicon nanowire when the frequency shift is varied 100 GHz to 400 GHz. Multiple peaks are visible, corresponding to up-conversion and down-conversion of the input signal.

Progress in Electromagnetic Research Symposium•Aug 1, 2016•0 citations

A hybrid waveguide scheme for silicon-based quantum photonic circuits with quantum light sources

Lingjie Yu, Chenzhi Yuan, Renduo Qi Yidong Huang +1 more

We propose a hybrid silicon waveguide scheme to avoid the impact of noise photons induced by pump lights in application scenarios of quantum photonic circuits with quantum light sources. The scheme is composed of strip waveguide and shallow-ridge waveguide structures. It utilizes the difference of biphoton spectra generated by spontaneous four wave mixing (SFWM) in these two waveguides. By proper pumping setting and signal/idler wavelength selection, the generation of desired photon pairs is confined in the strip waveguide. The impact of noise photons generated by SFWM in the shallow-ridge waveguide could be avoided. Hence, the shallow-ridge waveguide could be used to realize various linear operation devices for pump light and quantum state manipulations. The feasibility of this scheme is verified by theoretical analysis and primary experiment. Two applications are proposed and analyzed, showing its great potential on silicon-based quantum photonic circuits.

arXiv:1911.12154•Nov 27, 2019•1 citation
Large-scale quantum photonic circuits require integrating multiple single-photon sources, which are typically based on spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) in spiral waveguides or microring resonators (MRRs). Photons can be generated in both clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) orientations from a single source in a Sagnac configuration, showing promise for improving scalability. In this work, we propose a fully integrable scheme for bidirectional creation and usage of single photons. This concept is based on two asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers (AMZIs) integrated within the Sagnac loop. As a proof of concept, we fabricated a device with a spiral waveguide on a silicon chip and demonstrated its application as a quantum splitter and two multi-wavelength quantum light sources.
Integrated sources of indistinguishable photons have garnered significant attention due to their applications in optical quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum networks. However, photons generated from spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) always occur in pairs, which need to be split into different modes for further applications. Here, we present a quantum splitter for degenerate photon pairs based on a silicon photonic chip. This device incorporates a Sagnac loop, two asymmetrical Mach-Zehnder interferometers (AMZIs), and a spiral waveguide. The spiral waveguide generates pairs of photons, the Sagnac loop facilitates bidirectional pumping of the source, and the two AMZIs enables the extraction of photons from the pump light. The photons generated from two directions interfere at a balanced multi-mode interferemeter (MMI) to enable the reversed Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) effect to take place. Our experimental results demonstrated an on-chip interference visibility of 96.63% and an off-chip HOM dip visibility of 90.93%, indicating that the generated photons are well-suited for further integration with other components in quantum applications.
Silicon-based integrated spiral waveguides are extensively used as on-chip single-photon sources. However, inherent uncertainties and limitations in single-photon fidelity pose significant theoretical performance bottlenecks. These challenges often necessitate the multiplexing of multiple sources. In this paper, we propose a novel scheme for spatial multiplexing using bidirectional spirals. By pumping a spiral waveguide bidirectionally, photon pairs are generated in both clockwise (cw) and counterclockwise (ccw) directions, each producing signal-idler photon pairs in a two-mode squeezed state. Consequently, a single spiral waveguide can function as two spatially multiplexed sources. Using CMOS fabrication technology, we constructed a bidirectional spiral waveguide structure. We measured the coincidence count rates, heralded second-order correlation function, and coincidence to accidental ratio (CAR) as functions of pump power, both before and after multiplexing. Our experimental results demonstrated a 1.67-fold increase in performance post-multiplexing. This finding underscores the potential of bidirectional spirals as spatially multiplexed sources, paving the way for the largescale integration of future photonic quantum chips.
Integrated silicon micro-ring resonator (MRR) has been widely used as on-chip single photon source. In this paper, we introduce an approach to generate frequency-degenerate photons by bidirectionally pumping an add-drop micro-ring resonator (MRR) within a Sagnac loop configuration. This scheme facilitates the concurrent generation of photon pairs from both clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) directions, transforming a single MRR into a dual-source system. Through CMOS fabrication techniques, we realized the proposed device and conducted measurements of key parameters including the single side count rate (SSCR), coincidence count rate (CCR), and coincidence-to-accidental coincidence ratio (CAR) for both directional outputs. Notably, the CCRs exhibit remarkable similarity between the two sources, reaching approximately 550 Hz at an waveguide power of 0.59 mW. Furthermore, we observed a differential CAR, with the CCW direction yielding a lower value compared to the CW direction, with estimated maxima of 161 and 387, respectively. These findings underscore the viability of utilizing a singular MRR as a dual-source entity. Additionally, we outline the design of an on-chip structure for heralded Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference, necessitating 4-fold coincidences.Our work holds the promise of advancing the realm of large-scale integrated quantum photonic chips.
In this talk, I will discuss two applications of nonlinear quantum photonics in silicon nanowires: correlated photon pair sources and a single-photon wavelength converter. Correlated photon pairs can be generated in a nonlinear silicon waveguide through the spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) process, where two photons from a bright pump laser are annihilated, and a two photons are spontaneously created at different wavelengths (the signal and idler). However, indistinguishable photon pairs are of particular interest for two-photon interference experiments, meaning that the signal and idler should have the same wavelength and be entirely identical to each other. Indistinguishable pairs can be generated with the SFWM process. where two pump lasers create a degenerate signal and idler at the frequency mid-way between them. Since the two photons are indistinguishable, it is not trivial to divide them into separate waveguides so as to manipulate them individually. I will present recent results concerning a silicon quantum splitter, where degenerate pairs are created in a ring resonator which is pumped in both directions. The ring is coupled to a sagnac loop interferometer, which combines the two directions at a 50 : 50 coupler. Here, a quantum interference effect (reverse-Hong Ou Mandel interference) splits the photons to two output waveguides. This device is ultra-compact and the use of a sagnac loop means that the phase is automatically set correctly for the interference. I will also discuss progress on single photon wavelength conversion in silicon nanowires using the four-wave mixing Bragg scattering (FWMBS) process. Here, two intense pump beams are used to modulate a weak signal, causing it to shift to the idler by the frequency difference between the pumps. In principle, this can allow coherent, noiseless frequency conversion of single photon signals. Fig. 1(b) shows output spectra from a 6mm silicon nanowire when the frequency shift is varied 100 GHz to 400 GHz. Multiple peaks are visible, corresponding to up-conversion and down-conversion of the input signal.
We propose a hybrid silicon waveguide scheme to avoid the impact of noise photons induced by pump lights in application scenarios of quantum photonic circuits with quantum light sources. The scheme is composed of strip waveguide and shallow-ridge waveguide structures. It utilizes the difference of biphoton spectra generated by spontaneous four wave mixing (SFWM) in these two waveguides. By proper pumping setting and signal/idler wavelength selection, the generation of desired photon pairs is confined in the strip waveguide. The impact of noise photons generated by SFWM in the shallow-ridge waveguide could be avoided. Hence, the shallow-ridge waveguide could be used to realize various linear operation devices for pump light and quantum state manipulations. The feasibility of this scheme is verified by theoretical analysis and primary experiment. Two applications are proposed and analyzed, showing its great potential on silicon-based quantum photonic circuits.