Low-loss all-optical ns-switching for single-photon routing in scalable integrated quantum photonics

Fabian Ruf; Lars Nielsen; Mircea Balauroiu; Nicolas Volet; Martijn J. R. Heck

doi:10.1117/12.2621540

25 May 2022 Low-loss all-optical ns-switching for single-photon routing in scalable integrated quantum photonics

Fabian Ruf, Lars Nielsen, Mircea Balauroiu, Nicolas Volet, Martijn J. R. Heck

Proceedings Volume 12148, Integrated Photonics Platforms II; 1214806 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2621540
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2022, Strasbourg, France

Abstract

Efficient single-photon routing and switching are crucial for optical quantum computing and communication. For this purpose, all-optical switches are designed for gigahertz bandwidths. The switching mechanism is based on the optical Kerr effect via cross-phase modulation (CPM) of the single-photon signal by a strong 1550-nm pump pulse. For energy-efficient switching, this nonlinear effect is exploited in a microresonator that can either be used directly as an intensity switch in a typical add–drop configuration or as a phase shifter in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) structure. To speed up resonance build-up and quenching, a pre-emphasis build and an off-resonance wipe pulse are used. The proposed designs are verified by traveling-wave simulations which demonstrate that 0.1 dB insertion loss and ~1 ns switching windows can be achieved. For a scalable out-of-the-lab transfer, we investigate the feasibility of the proposed switch designs for fabrication in a mature photonic integrated circuit (PIC) platform. In particular, silicon nitride PICs have demonstrated record-low losses which makes them suitable for single-photon applications. By parametric modelling of the microresonator’s directional couplers based on Lumerical EME and 2.5-dimensional varFDTD simulations, the required power transmission coefficients for both signal and pump wavelength can be achieved. This results in an all-optical switch design ready for fabrication in a commercial PIC foundry which can potentially enable scalable architectures for quantum photonic applications.

Citation Download Citation

Fabian Ruf, Lars Nielsen, Mircea Balauroiu, Nicolas Volet, and Martijn J. R. Heck "Low-loss all-optical ns-switching for single-photon routing in scalable integrated quantum photonics", Proc. SPIE 12148, Integrated Photonics Platforms II, 1214806 (25 May 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2621540

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KEYWORDS

Resonators

Switching

Switches

Photonic integrated circuits

Directional couplers

Silicon

Waveguides

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