Programmable dispersion on a photonic integrated circuit for classical and quantum applications

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Quantum Information Science
• Integrated Optics

Background:

• Tunable optical devices are crucial for advanced information processing.
• Silicon photonics offers a scalable platform for integrated optical circuits.
• Controlling optical dispersion is key for applications like quantum communication and laser technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a large-scale tunable-coupling ring resonator array for high-dimensional classical and quantum transforms.
• To present a silicon photonics platform with programmable dispersion control.
• To explore novel applications in quantum communications and optical transformations.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a silicon photonics chip with a waveguide coupled to 15 ring resonators.
• Programming the linewidths and resonance frequencies of individual ring resonators.
• Utilizing the quality factor and frequency control for 30 degrees of freedom in dispersion management.

Main Results:

• Successful demonstration of a large-scale tunable-coupling ring resonator array.
• Achieved unprecedented 30 degrees of freedom in dispersion control on a single spatial channel.
• Validated the device's suitability for high-dimensional classical and quantum transforms.

Conclusions:

• The demonstrated tunable-coupling ring resonator array is a versatile platform for advanced optical applications.
• The programmable dispersion control system enables applications in mode-locked lasers, quantum key distribution, and photon-pair generation.
• The system is well-suited for high-speed quantum communications, specifically temporal-mode-based quantum data locking, and high-dimensional unitary optical transformations.