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Ultra-low-power second-order nonlinear optics on a chip.
Timothy P McKenna1,2, Hubert S Stokowski1, Vahid Ansari1
1E.L. Ginzton Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
Nature Communications
|August 4, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed chip-scale photonic circuits using thin-film lithium niobate for efficient second-order nonlinear optics. This breakthrough enables new quantum entanglement applications and integrated photonics platforms.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Quantum Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Second-order nonlinear optical processes are crucial for wavelength conversion and quantum entanglement.
- Existing silicon photonics primarily use third-order nonlinearity, lacking efficient second-order integrated platforms.
- Developing chip-scale devices for second-order nonlinear optics is a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate an integrated photonic circuit for efficient second-order nonlinear optical processes.
- To achieve frequency doubling and parametric oscillation on a chip.
- To explore the potential of thin-film lithium niobate for advanced photonic applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an integrated thin-film lithium niobate photonic circuit.
- Demonstration of efficient frequency doubling and parametric oscillation.
- Characterization of parametric oscillation at room temperature, including degenerate and non-degenerate operation.
- Tuning of parametric oscillator emission via pump frequency variation.
- Observation of cascaded second-order processes.
Main Results:
- Achieved efficient frequency doubling and parametric oscillation with a low threshold (tens of microwatts).
- Demonstrated tunable parametric oscillation over one terahertz.
- Observed cascaded second-order processes leading to parametric oscillation.
- Operated the parametric oscillator at room temperature.
Conclusions:
- Integrated thin-film lithium niobate circuits enable efficient on-chip second-order nonlinear optics.
- These devices are crucial for advancing nonlinear and quantum photonics platforms.
- The demonstrated technology paves the way for scalable quantum entanglement generation and manipulation.
