Improving polarization squeezing in Sagnac interferometer configuration using photonic crystal fiber

Area of Science:

• Quantum optics
• Nonlinear optics
• Optical fiber technology

Background:

• Photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) offer enhanced light confinement, leading to higher effective nonlinearity.
• This enhanced nonlinearity theoretically promises improved quantum squeezing compared to standard optical fibers.
• Current experimental results have not yet demonstrated superior quantum squeezing using PCFs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive numerical investigation of polarization squeezing in PCFs within a Sagnac configuration.
• To identify the specific physical factors limiting the performance of current PCF squeezing experiments.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations of polarization squeezing in PCFs.
• Inclusion of physical effects: loss, non-instantaneous Raman response, excess phase-noise, second- and third-order dispersion, and self-steepening.
• Analysis of simulation results to pinpoint limiting factors.

Main Results:

• The simulations identified key physical factors hindering PCF squeezing experiments.
• Loss, non-instantaneous Raman response, excess phase-noise, dispersion, and self-steepening were found to be significant limitations.
• A detailed understanding of these limitations was achieved through comprehensive modeling.

Conclusions:

• The theoretical promise of PCFs for enhanced quantum squeezing is currently unmet due to several physical limitations.
• Addressing these identified factors in future experiments is crucial for realizing the potential of PCFs.
• Further research and experimental refinement are needed to surpass standard fiber performance in quantum squeezing.