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

Physical Review Letters

Reconfigurable Self-Phase Modulation Enabled by Cascaded Nonlinear Backaction in Integrated Photonics

Chaohan Cui, Liang Zhang, Linran Fan

Published Mar 14, 2025• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Self-phase modulation is ubiquitous in optical systems: It provides foundational functionality to numerous photonic technologies, such as soliton generation and ultrafast pulse compression. However, it remains challenging to directly modify the coefficient of self-phase modulation, which is typically regarded as a fixed property of optical materials and structures. In this work, we overcome this limitation and demonstrate reconfigurable self-phase modulation with an integrated photonic cavity. This is achieved by introducing the engineered backaction from the reservoir photonic resonance through the cascaded second-order nonlinear coupling. The coefficient of self-phase modulation is tuned from -2.7 to +4.7 of its intrinsic value. With negative coefficients, we observe the anomalous self-phase modulation, where photonic resonances are shifted towards higher frequencies. With the reconfigurable self-phase modulation, we further demonstrate the control of spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking in the integrated photonic ring cavity.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.134.103803

Related papers

Effects of self- and cross-phase modulation on the spontaneous symmetry breaking of light in ring resonators

Lewis Hill, Gian‐Luca Oppo, Michael T. M. Woodley +1 more

Spontaneous symmetry breaking can occur in the powers of two optical modes coupled into a ring resonator, described by a pair of coupled Lorentzian equations, and featuring tunable self- and cross-phase modulation terms. Investigated is a wide variety of nonlinear materials by changing the ratio of the self- and cross-phase interaction coefficients. Static and dynamic effects range from the number and stability of stationary states to the onset and nature of oscillations. Minimal conditions to observe symmetry breaking are provided in terms of the ratio of the self- and cross-phase coefficients, detuning, and input power. Different ratios of the nonlinear coefficients also influence the dynamical regime, where they can induce or suppress bifurcations and oscillations. A generalized description on this kind is useful for the development of all-optical components, such as isolators and oscillators, constructed from a wide variety of optical media in ring resonators.

arXiv:1905.01119•Physical Review A•Jan 21, 2020•76 citations

In situ control of integrated Kerr nonlinearity

Chaohan Cui, Liang Zhang, Linran Fan

Kerr nonlinearity in nanophotonic cavities provides a versatile platform to explore fundamental physical sciences and develop novel photonic technologies. This is driven by the precise dispersion control and significant field enhancement with nanoscale structures. Beyond dispersion and pump engineering, the direct control of Kerr nonlinearity can release the ultimate performance and functionality of photonic systems. Here, we report the in situ control of integrated Kerr nonlinearity through its interplay with the cascaded Pockels nonlinear process. Kerr nonlinearity is tuned over 10~dB dynamic range without modifying photonic structures. Fano resonance is observed with nonlinear spectrum, in contrast to standard linear transmission. This confirms the quantum interference between competing optical nonlinear pathways. Besides nonlinearity enhancement, we also demonstrate the novel capability to suppress the material intrinsic nonlinearity. Finally, we use the tunable nonlinearity to control the spectral brightness and coincidence-to-accidental ratio of single-photon generation. This work paves the way towards the complete nanoscale control of optical nonlinear processes at quantum level.

arXiv:2112.00122•Nov 30, 2021•0 citations

Controlled-Phase Gate Using Dynamically Coupled Cavities and Optical Nonlinearities

Mikkel Heuck, Kurt A. Jacobs, Dirk Englund

We show that relatively simple integrated photonic circuits have the potential to realize a high fidelity deterministic controlled-phase gate between photonic qubits using bulk optical nonlinearities. The gate is enabled by converting travelling continuous-mode photons into stationary cavity modes using strong classical control fields that dynamically change the effective cavity-waveguide coupling rate. This architecture succeeds because it reduces the wave packet distortions that otherwise accompany the action of optical nonlinearities [J. Shapiro, Phys. Rev. A 73, 062305 (2006)PLRAAN1050-294710.1103/PhysRevA.73.062305; J. Gea-Banacloche, Phys. Rev. A 81, 043823 (2010)PLRAAN1050-294710.1103/PhysRevA.81.043823]. We show that high-fidelity gates can be achieved with self-phase modulation in χ^{(3)} materials as well as second-harmonic generation in χ^{(2)} materials. The gate fidelity asymptotically approaches unity with increasing storage time for an incident photon wave packet with fixed duration. We also show that dynamically coupled cavities enable a trade-off between errors due to loss and wave packet distortion. Our proposed architecture represents a new approach to practical implementation of quantum gates that is room-temperature compatible and only relies on components that have been individually demonstrated.

arXiv:1909.05751•Physical Review Letters•Apr 20, 2020•81 citations

All-optical control of photonic states in a photonic molecule

Yanhui Zhao, Weining Qian, Can Zhang

We explore the all-optical control of photonic states in a photonic molecule using a tailored control pulse. By systematically analyzing the requirements for effective state manipulation, we demonstrate that an optimized control pulse can switch off Rabi oscillations between coupled cavities, freezing the system in either symmetric or anti-symmetric supermodes. The arrival time, amplitude, and phase of the control pulse dictate the selective freezing and precise amplitude modulation of photonic states. This deterministic control mechanism enables on-demand photonic state engineering, advancing reconfigurable photonic devices and scalable integrated photonic circuits. Our findings underscore the importance of ultrafast dynamical control in quantum optics and optical information processing.

Optics Express•Jun 24, 2025•0 citations

Enhanced optical bistability in slotted photonic crystal structure for microwave frequency generation

Akash Kumar Pradhan, Chandra Prakash, Sambit Satpathy +1 more

This study proposes a novel silicon nanocrystal SiNC/SiO[Formula: see text] embedded slotted photonic crystal nanocavity employing precise width modulation to explore optical bistability and self-pulsing behavior for microwave signal generation. The designed cavity achieves an ultra-high quality factor (Q) of [Formula: see text] and a low modal volume of [Formula: see text]. Theoretical modeling incorporating Kerr nonlinearity, two-photon absorption, and free carrier effects is used to analyze the bistability response. Simulation results reveal a low threshold power of [Formula: see text] for optical bistability under a - 20 pm detuning condition. Additionally, the cavity demonstrates microwave frequency generation through self-pulsing oscillations, with a fundamental mode and observable second harmonic at 21.34 GHz. Fabrication tolerance is also evaluated, showing that the design sustains performance with up to 9% randomness in hole radii, 12% in x-position, and 20% in z-position of air holes. These findings confirm the feasibility of the proposed structure for low-power, high-frequency integrated photonic applications.

Scientific Reports•Nov 11, 2025•2 citations

Dynamic Nonreciprocity with a Kerr Nonlinear Resonator

Rui-Kai Pan, Lei Tang, Keyu Xia +1 more

On-chip optical nonreciprocal devices are vital components for integrated photonic systems and scalable quantum information processing. Nonlinear optical isolators and circulators have attracted considerable attention because of their fundamental interest and their important advantages in integrated photonic circuits. However, optical nonreciprocal devices based on Kerr or Kerr-like nonlinearity are subject to dynamical reciprocity when the forward and backward signals coexist simultaneously in a nonlinear system. Here, we theoretically propose a method for realizing on-chip nonlinear isolators and circulators with dynamic nonreciprocity. Dynamic nonreciprocity is achieved via the chiral modulation on the resonance frequency due to coexisting self- and cross-Kerr nonlinearities in an optical ring resonator. This work showing dynamic nonreciprocity with a Kerr nonlinear resonator can be an essential step toward integrated optical isolation.

arXiv:2208.09205•Chinese Physics Letters•Nov 1, 2022•14 citations
Self-phase modulation is ubiquitous in optical systems: It provides foundational functionality to numerous photonic technologies, such as soliton generation and ultrafast pulse compression. However, it remains challenging to directly modify the coefficient of self-phase modulation, which is typically regarded as a fixed property of optical materials and structures. In this work, we overcome this limitation and demonstrate reconfigurable self-phase modulation with an integrated photonic cavity. This is achieved by introducing the engineered backaction from the reservoir photonic resonance through the cascaded second-order nonlinear coupling. The coefficient of self-phase modulation is tuned from -2.7 to +4.7 of its intrinsic value. With negative coefficients, we observe the anomalous self-phase modulation, where photonic resonances are shifted towards higher frequencies. With the reconfigurable self-phase modulation, we further demonstrate the control of spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking in the integrated photonic ring cavity.
Spontaneous symmetry breaking can occur in the powers of two optical modes coupled into a ring resonator, described by a pair of coupled Lorentzian equations, and featuring tunable self- and cross-phase modulation terms. Investigated is a wide variety of nonlinear materials by changing the ratio of the self- and cross-phase interaction coefficients. Static and dynamic effects range from the number and stability of stationary states to the onset and nature of oscillations. Minimal conditions to observe symmetry breaking are provided in terms of the ratio of the self- and cross-phase coefficients, detuning, and input power. Different ratios of the nonlinear coefficients also influence the dynamical regime, where they can induce or suppress bifurcations and oscillations. A generalized description on this kind is useful for the development of all-optical components, such as isolators and oscillators, constructed from a wide variety of optical media in ring resonators.
Kerr nonlinearity in nanophotonic cavities provides a versatile platform to explore fundamental physical sciences and develop novel photonic technologies. This is driven by the precise dispersion control and significant field enhancement with nanoscale structures. Beyond dispersion and pump engineering, the direct control of Kerr nonlinearity can release the ultimate performance and functionality of photonic systems. Here, we report the in situ control of integrated Kerr nonlinearity through its interplay with the cascaded Pockels nonlinear process. Kerr nonlinearity is tuned over 10~dB dynamic range without modifying photonic structures. Fano resonance is observed with nonlinear spectrum, in contrast to standard linear transmission. This confirms the quantum interference between competing optical nonlinear pathways. Besides nonlinearity enhancement, we also demonstrate the novel capability to suppress the material intrinsic nonlinearity. Finally, we use the tunable nonlinearity to control the spectral brightness and coincidence-to-accidental ratio of single-photon generation. This work paves the way towards the complete nanoscale control of optical nonlinear processes at quantum level.
We show that relatively simple integrated photonic circuits have the potential to realize a high fidelity deterministic controlled-phase gate between photonic qubits using bulk optical nonlinearities. The gate is enabled by converting travelling continuous-mode photons into stationary cavity modes using strong classical control fields that dynamically change the effective cavity-waveguide coupling rate. This architecture succeeds because it reduces the wave packet distortions that otherwise accompany the action of optical nonlinearities [J. Shapiro, Phys. Rev. A 73, 062305 (2006)PLRAAN1050-294710.1103/PhysRevA.73.062305; J. Gea-Banacloche, Phys. Rev. A 81, 043823 (2010)PLRAAN1050-294710.1103/PhysRevA.81.043823]. We show that high-fidelity gates can be achieved with self-phase modulation in χ^{(3)} materials as well as second-harmonic generation in χ^{(2)} materials. The gate fidelity asymptotically approaches unity with increasing storage time for an incident photon wave packet with fixed duration. We also show that dynamically coupled cavities enable a trade-off between errors due to loss and wave packet distortion. Our proposed architecture represents a new approach to practical implementation of quantum gates that is room-temperature compatible and only relies on components that have been individually demonstrated.
We explore the all-optical control of photonic states in a photonic molecule using a tailored control pulse. By systematically analyzing the requirements for effective state manipulation, we demonstrate that an optimized control pulse can switch off Rabi oscillations between coupled cavities, freezing the system in either symmetric or anti-symmetric supermodes. The arrival time, amplitude, and phase of the control pulse dictate the selective freezing and precise amplitude modulation of photonic states. This deterministic control mechanism enables on-demand photonic state engineering, advancing reconfigurable photonic devices and scalable integrated photonic circuits. Our findings underscore the importance of ultrafast dynamical control in quantum optics and optical information processing.
This study proposes a novel silicon nanocrystal SiNC/SiO[Formula: see text] embedded slotted photonic crystal nanocavity employing precise width modulation to explore optical bistability and self-pulsing behavior for microwave signal generation. The designed cavity achieves an ultra-high quality factor (Q) of [Formula: see text] and a low modal volume of [Formula: see text]. Theoretical modeling incorporating Kerr nonlinearity, two-photon absorption, and free carrier effects is used to analyze the bistability response. Simulation results reveal a low threshold power of [Formula: see text] for optical bistability under a - 20 pm detuning condition. Additionally, the cavity demonstrates microwave frequency generation through self-pulsing oscillations, with a fundamental mode and observable second harmonic at 21.34 GHz. Fabrication tolerance is also evaluated, showing that the design sustains performance with up to 9% randomness in hole radii, 12% in x-position, and 20% in z-position of air holes. These findings confirm the feasibility of the proposed structure for low-power, high-frequency integrated photonic applications.
On-chip optical nonreciprocal devices are vital components for integrated photonic systems and scalable quantum information processing. Nonlinear optical isolators and circulators have attracted considerable attention because of their fundamental interest and their important advantages in integrated photonic circuits. However, optical nonreciprocal devices based on Kerr or Kerr-like nonlinearity are subject to dynamical reciprocity when the forward and backward signals coexist simultaneously in a nonlinear system. Here, we theoretically propose a method for realizing on-chip nonlinear isolators and circulators with dynamic nonreciprocity. Dynamic nonreciprocity is achieved via the chiral modulation on the resonance frequency due to coexisting self- and cross-Kerr nonlinearities in an optical ring resonator. This work showing dynamic nonreciprocity with a Kerr nonlinear resonator can be an essential step toward integrated optical isolation.