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Updated: Nov 23, 2025
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Measurement of Quantum Interference in a Silicon Ring Resonator Photon Source
Published on: April 4, 2017
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Mid-infrared quantum optics in silicon
Optics Express
|December 31, 2020
Summary
Mid-infrared silicon quantum photonics offers a scalable solution for quantum information technology. This new platform minimizes loss and maximizes manufacturability, paving the way for advanced quantum applications.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Information technology
- Photonics
Background:
- Applied quantum optics promises to revolutionize information technology but faces scaling challenges.
- Silicon quantum photonics offers miniaturization and manufacturability but suffers from optical loss at 1.55 µm.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new quantum optics platform by translating silicon quantum photonics to the mid-infrared spectrum.
- To overcome the limitations of linear and nonlinear loss in existing silicon quantum photonics.
Main Methods:
- Demonstration of essential platform components including photon-pair generation and single-photon detection.
- Operation at wavelengths beyond 2 µm to leverage mid-infrared properties.
- Characterization of quantum interference visibility and coincidence rates.
Main Results:
- Successful demonstration of photon-pair generation, single-photon detection, and high-visibility quantum interference in the mid-infrared.
- Observed maximum net coincidence rate of 448 ± 12 Hz.
- Achieved a coincidence-to-accidental ratio of 25.7 ± 1.1 and net two-photon quantum interference visibility of 0.993 ± 0.017.
Conclusions:
- Mid-infrared silicon quantum photonics establishes a viable platform that balances manufacturability, miniaturization, and reduced optical loss.
- This advancement enables new quantum applications previously out of reach.
- The demonstrated performance metrics highlight the potential for practical quantum technologies.
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