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Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials and Devices

PPLN-based optical parametric amplifiers for optical communications and quantum information processing

Takeshi Umeki

Published Mar 4, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We review the capabilities of optical parametric amplifiers based on periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguides for applications in optical communications and quantum information processing. In particular, we discuss recent advances in wavelength-band conversion, broadband amplification, and the generation of squeezed and non-Gaussian states of light. These advances demonstrate the versatility of PPLN-based devices as essential components for future optical networks and optical quantum computing systems.

DOI
10.1117/12.3100928

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We review the capabilities of optical parametric amplifiers based on periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguides for applications in optical communications and quantum information processing. In particular, we discuss recent advances in wavelength-band conversion, broadband amplification, and the generation of squeezed and non-Gaussian states of light. These advances demonstrate the versatility of PPLN-based devices as essential components for future optical networks and optical quantum computing systems.
Optical parametric amplification is expected as a key technique for high-speed optical fiber communication and optical quantum computing.We developed a high-gain and broadband optical parametric amplifier (OPA) module by using a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide, the single-mode core of which is directly bonded to a lithium tantalate substrate.The OPA is assembled as a pump-combiner-integrated module with four optical-fiber input/output ports.By improving the fabrication processes of the PPLN waveguide and the assembly techniques of OPA modules, we achieved over-30-dB phase sensitive amplification with a continuous-wave pump.By using the PPLN waveguide, we successfully obtained over-6-dB squeezed light, the spectral bandwidth of which was 2.5 THz.This high-gain broadband OPA module will help build an advanced information society.
Optical parametric amplification (OPA) of arbitrarily polarized light is proposed in a multi-section periodically poled Lithium Niobate (PPLN). External electric field is applied on selected sections to induce the polarization rotation of involved lights, thus the quasi-phase matched optical parametric processes exhibit polarization insensitivity under suitable voltage. In addition to the amplified signal wave, an idler wave with the same polarization is generated simultaneously. As an example, a ~10 times OPA showing polarization independency is simulated. Applications of this technology are also discussed.
Periodically poled lithium niobate waveguides (PPLN/W) are considered to be one of the most useful toolboxes for enabling quantum communication experiments. Thanks to the high optical confinement over longer lengths than in bulk configurations (a few cm in our case), such structures provide highly efficient non-linear interactions, i.e., in parametric downconversion, or sum and difference frequency generation regimes. Within the framework of long-distance quantum communication at telecom wavelengths, PPLN/Ws have therefore been proved to be a key ingredient for building ultrabright sources of time-bin, as well as polarization entangled photons, and for photonic quantum interfaces providing coherent wavelength conversions from telecom to visible wavelength range, and conversely. During the presentation, we will discuss some recent experimental advances regarding polarization entanglement sources and quantum interfaces.
We report generation of 10.1\pm0.2-dB squeezed light from a broadband periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide optical parametric amplifier (OPA). Based on our previous report where a similar PPLN waveguide shows 8.3-dB squeezing [T. Kashiwazaki et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 122, 234003 (2023)], we reduce phase fluctuations and overall optical losses in the measurement system. In particular, we introduce a novel phase detection technique that does not require tapping a part of the squeezed light to get a phase locking signal. We use a phase-detection OPA seeded by a tapped probe and pump light before a squeezer OPA. This configuration breaks the conventional trade-off between generating a phase-locking signal with high-signal-to-noise ratio and suppressing degradation of squeezing level caused by optical tapping. With all these improvements, the phase fluctuation angle is reduced from 14 mrad to 9 mrad, and the total optical loss from 12\% to 8\%. Achieving more than 10 dB of squeezing by the broadband waveguide OPA is a significant step towards realization of fault-tolerant ultra-fast universal optical quantum computation.
We describe the design and application of domain-engineered, periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) for use to produce entangled photons and for other tools in quantum information and communications. By specially designing and controlling the PPLN poling pattern, multiple nonlinear optical processes can be simultaneously phasematched. This capability can be used to generate polarization-entangled photon pairs through type-II spontaneous parametric downconversion. The single PPLN crystal is designed to produce both the |HV〉 and |VH〉 states where the downconverted photons are distinguishable by wavelengths, which enables generation of post-selection-free, polarization-entangled twin photons. We describe the design and fabrication of the PPLN crystal, and initial experimental results for downconversion of a 775 nm pump to 1532 nm and 1567 nm orthogonally polarized photons. We also discuss other applications of engineered optical frequency conversion for quantum information including the use of dual-wavelength upconversion as a beamsplitter to route or analyze photons.