Effect of thickness variations of lithium niobate on insulator waveguide on the frequency spectrum of spontaneous parametric down-conversion

We study the effect of waveguide thickness variations on the frequency spectrum of spontaneous parametric downconversion in the periodically-poled lithium niobate on insulator(LNOI)waveguide.We analyze several variation models and our simulation results show that thickness variations in several nanometers can induce distinct effects on the central peak of the spectrum,such as narrowing,broadening,and splitting.We also prove that the effects of positive and negative variations can be canceled and thus lead to a variation-robust feature and an ultra-broad bandwidth.Our study may promote the development of on-chip photon sources in the LNOI platform,as well as opens up a way to engineer photon frequency state.

Intracavity Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion in Bragg Reflection Waveguide Edge Emitting Diode

A four-wavelength Bragg reflection waveguide edge emitting diode based on intracavity spontaneous parametric down-conversion and four-wave mixing （FWM） processes is made. The structure and its tuning characteris- tic are designed by the aid of FDTD mode solution. The laser structure is grown by molecular beam epitaxy and processed to laser diode through the semiconductor manufacturing technology. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is applied to record wavelength information. Pump around 1.071 μm, signal around 1.77μm, idler around 2.71 μm and FWM signal around 1.35μm are observed at an injection current of 560mA. The influ- ences of temperature, carrier density and pump wavelength on tuning characteristic are shown numerically and experimentally.

Spectral properties of entangled photon pairs generated via quasi-phased-matched spontaneous parametric down-conversion

The spectral properties of entangled photon pairs generated via quasi-phased matching in spontaneous parametric down-conversion are proposed and demonstrated experimentally. A general mathematical model for evaluating the spectral properties is developed to obtain the spectrum shape and range of down-converted photons. The model takes into account the effects of phase mismatching due to non-ideal pumping and the relationship between crystal periodic modulation function and the incidence angle of the pump beam. The spectrum curve shape is determined by the discrete Fourier transform of a Gaussian pump beam and the integration of parametric down-conversion generated by an individual plane wave. An experiment is carried out with a PPLN non-linear crystal and dispersing optics, which shows a good consistency in their spectral ranges and shapes with our model predictions within the spectrum of 600–633 nm. This therefore illustrates that both the simulation model and the experimental process are reasonable. This novel method has potential applications in high-accuracy calibration in the wide spectrum using correlated photons.

Robust second-order correlation of twin parametric beams generated by amplified spontaneous parametric down-conversion

We report an observation of the second-order correlation between twin beams generated by amplified spontaneous parametric down-conversion operating above threshold with kilowatt-level peak power, from a periodically poled Li Ta O3 crystal via a single-pass scheme. Photocurrent correlation was measured because of the bright photon streams, with raw visibility of 37.9% or 97.3% after electronic filtering. As expected in our theory, this correlation is robust and insensitive to parametric gain and detection loss, enabling important applications in optical communications, precision measurement, and nonlocal imaging.

Time Evolution and Squeezing of Degenerate and Non-degenerate Coupled Parametric Down-Conversion with Driving Term

By properly selecting the time-dependent unitary transformation for the linear combination of the number operators, we construct a time-dependent invariant and derive the corresponding auxiliary equations for the degenerate and non-degenerate coupled parametric down-conversion system with driving term. By means of this invariant and the Lewis-Riesenfeld quantum invariant theory, we obtain closed formulae of the quantum state and the evolution operator of the system. We show that the time evolution of the quantum system directly leads to production of various generalized one- and two-mode combination squeezed states, and the squeezed effect is independent of the driving term of the Hamiltonian. In some special cases, the current solution can reduce to the results of the previous works.

Parametric down-conversion with local operation and two-way classical communication

The decoy-state quantum key distribution protocol suggested by Adachi et al. （Phys. Rev. Lett 99 180503 （2007）） is proven to be secure and feasible with current techniques. It owns two attractive merits, i.e., its longer secure transmission distance and more convenient operation design. In this paper, we first improve the protocol with the aid of local operation and two-way classical communication （2-LOCC）. After our modifications, the secure transmission distance is increased by about 20 km, which will make the protocol more practicable.

Simple and practical method of characterizing the parametric down-conversion source

Parametric down-conversion（PDC） sources play an important role in quantum information processing, therefore characterizing their properties is necessary. Here we present a statistical model to assess the properties of the PDC source with certain distribution, such as the brightness and photon channel transmissions, we only need to measure the singles and coincidences counts in a few seconds. Furthermore, we validate the model by applying it to a PDC source generating highly non-degenerate photon pairs. The results of the experiment indicate that our method is more simple, efficient, and less time consuming.

Adjusting the properties of the photon generated via an optical parametric oscillator by using a pulse pumped laser

The cavity-enhanced spontaneous parametric down-conversion far below threshold can be used to generate a narrow-band photon pair efficiently. Previous experiments on the cavity-enhanced spontaneous parametric down- conversion almost always utilize continuous wave pump light, but the pulse pumped case is rarely reported. One disadvantage of the continuous wave case is that the photon pair is produced randomly within the coherence time of the pump, which limits its application in the quantum information realm. However, a pulse pump can help to solve this problem. In this paper, we theoretically analyze pulse pumped cavity-enhanced spontaneous parametric down- conversion in detail and show how the pump pulse affects the multi-photon interference visibility, two-photon waveform, joint spectrum and spectral brightness.

Phonon-phonon interaction and parametric down-conversion generation in multimode optomechanical systems

We studied the process of polariton conversion in a 3-mode nonlinear optomechanical system.Compared with the standard 2-mode optomechanical system,we find a much larger conversion rate of polariton modes can be achieved under typical dissipation conditions.To obtain a transparent understanding of the relevant physical process,we show that in the large detuned case,the cavity can be eliminated adiabatically,resulting in a parametric down-conversion(PDC)interaction between two phononic polariton modes.By tuning cavity detuning,the nonlinear interaction can be enhanced with the frequency-matching condition.Results from analytical treatment based on the effective PDC model agree with the numerical simulation.Such a system provides potential applications in nonlinear phononics.

Generation of broadband polarization-orthogonal photon pairs via the dispersion-engineered thin-film lithium niobate waveguide

Broadband photon pairs are highly desirable for quantum metrology,quantum sensing,and quantum communication.Such sources are usually designed through type-0 phase-matching spontaneous parametric down-conversion(SPDC)that makes the photon pairs hard to separate in the frequency-degenerate case and thus limits their applications.In this paper,we design a broadband frequency-degenerate telecom-band photon pair source via the type-II SPDC in a dispersion-engineered thin-film lithium niobate waveguide,where the polarization modes of photon pairs are orthogonal and thus are easily separated deterministically.With a 5-mm-long waveguide,our design can achieve a bandwidth of 5.56 THz(44.8 nm),which is 8.6 times larger than that of the bulk lithium niobate,and the central wavelength can be flexibly adjusted.Our design is a promising approach towards high-quality integrated photon sources and may have wide applications in photonic quantum technologies.

Low-power system model for quantum entangled photon-pair source

The quantum entangled photon-pair source,as an essential component of optical quantum systems,holds great potential for applications such as quantum teleportation,quan-tum computing,and quantum imaging.The current workhorse technique for preparing photon pairs involves performing spon-taneous parametric down conversion(SPDC)in bulk nonlinear crystals.However,the current power consumption and cost of preparing entangled photon-pair sources are relatively high,pos-ing challenges to their integration and scalability.In this paper,we propose a low-power system model for the quantum entan-gled photon-pair source based on SPDC theory and phase matching technology.This model allows us to analyze the per-formance of each module and the influence of component cha-racteristics on the overall system.In our experimental setup,we utilize a 5 mW laser diode and a typical type-II barium metabo-rate(BBO)crystal to prepare an entangled photon-pair source.The experimental results are in excellent agreement with the model,indicating a significant step towards achieving the goal of low-power and low-cost entangled photon-pair sources.This achievement not only contributes to the practical application of quantum entanglement lighting,but also paves the way for the widespread adoption of optical quantum systems in the future.

488nm泵浦的自发参量下转换特性研究

自发参量下转换的光谱、光子数率和时间相关性对宽波段光电探测器定标具有重要意义。本文理论模拟了488 nm连续激光泵浦偏硼酸钡(BBO)晶体的光谱和光子数率的分布,搭建了光谱、光子数率和时间相关性测量的实验系统。基于理论研究,BBO晶体的相位匹配角选择24.3184°,可实现605~2523 nm连续宽波段相关光子制备,光子数率最大值为4.2716×10^(7) s^(-1)。采用CMOS相机和光电倍增管测量相关光子圆环和光子数率,根据波长和探测器响应波段来选择相应的光电探测器,以测量时间相关性。实验测量得到605~1000 nm波段的相关光子光谱,光子数率的实测值与理论值偏差在1个量级内,并观察到710~1560 nm波段的符合峰。实验结果验证了所建立的理论模型的正确性、自发参量下转换过程的宽光谱特性和时间相关性,为实现可见-近红外波段的宽光谱相关光子定标提供了研究基础。

基于相关光子的单光子探测器量子效率测量系统

为准确测量近红外波段单光子探测器量子效率,搭建了基于自发参量下转换效应的测量系统.系统利用中心波长为518nm的脉冲激光泵浦周期极化磷酸氧钛钾晶体,通过自发参量下转换过程产生相关光子对,分别测量了Si和InGaAs雪崩光电二极管单光子探测器在778nm和1 550nm波长点的量子效率,并对测量不确定度进行了分析.实验表明,该装置可以测量近红外单光子探测器量子效率参量,测量不确定度均优于1%.

远程时钟同步量子测量方法

基于参量下转换产生的纠缠光子对的量子特性及量子相干原理,研究了远程时钟同步的测量机理.所描述的方案具有一般性,既可用于时钟同步,又可用于空间定位研究,同时可用于测量纠缠光子对在非线性晶体中传输的时间差.结果表明,时间差越短,两个被探测事件的相干性越好,同步程度越高.

飞秒激光泵浦I类BBO晶体中自发参量下转换的研究

实验研究了飞秒脉冲激光泵浦I类BBO晶体中自发参量下转换效应,以及产生的彩色锥形辐射现象.系统分析了各参量对二次谐波转换效率及彩色锥形辐射现象的影响.研究结果表明:蓝绿色锥形辐射具有最大的发散角,这与相位匹配理论模拟结果吻合;正入射时,增大泵浦光强及晶体厚度均会引起彩色锥形辐射亮度增加,且最大出射角中心波长往长波移动;不同光束偏振态下可依次观察到彩色锥形辐射、超连续现象.

相关光子符合计数的实现及修正

为了实现利用非线性晶体自发参量下转换(SPDC)产生的相关光子测量光电探测器量子效率,对相关光子符合计数装置的设计及符合计数方法的系统修正进行了研究。介绍了SPDC相关光子的产生机理以及利用其进行光电探测器量子效率测量的原理。设计了两种不同的符合计数装置,"门控双通道光子符合计数装置"和"基于TAC/MCA的符合计数装置"。分析了两种计数装置符合结果的偶然符合、丢失符合、符合器死时间、探测器死时间等误差,并分别给出了修正因子及修正因子的计算和测量方法。结果表明:修正后两种方法量子效率测量结果的一致性<0.4%,均能满足量子效率符合测量的需要,提出的修正方法也具有很好的可操作性。

实现光辐射度量基准的几种方法

总结实现光辐射度量基准的几种主要方法，包括黑体辐射器法、电替代绝对辐射计法、自校准硅光电二极管法和光电探测器量子效率绝对测量法。

红外光谱辐射的绝对测量方法研究

本文探讨自发参量下转换双光子场的产生机理，研究基于自发参量下转换相关双光子绝对测量红外光源辐射功率的原理和方法。

轨道角动量纠缠光子对联合探测概率的研究

研究了自发参量下转换过程产生的轨道角动量纠缠光子对的联合探测概率,在忽略光子偏振和晶体为薄晶体的情况下推导出轨道角动量纠缠光子对联合探测概率的表达式。研究结果表明:自发参量下转换过程中抽运光、信号光以及空闲光参数(束腰、轨道角动量和径向指数)的大小决定着纠缠光子的联合探测概率。

频率非简并第I类自发参量下转换纠缠光子对量子特性

理论研究了频率非简并第I类自发参量下转换过程中产生的纠缠光子对的量子特性,且与频率简并的情况做了对比.通过纠缠光子对的联合谱强度分析了纠缠光子对的光谱特性及纠缠特性;通过洪-区-曼德尔干涉仪和马赫-曾德尔干涉仪分析了纠缠光子对的量子干涉特性.结果表明:脉冲泵浦作用下,由于频率非兼并使得相位匹配函数不对称,导致两纠缠光子可区分,量子干涉可见度减小.随着泵浦脉冲频宽的增加,这种效应更加明显.连续激光泵浦时,相位匹配函数是对称的,得到最大的纠缠度和量子干涉可见度.该研究为频率非简并纠缠光子源在各种量子信息方案中的应用提供理论指导.