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Ultra-low-noise microwave to optics conversion in gallium phosphide
Robert Stockill1,2, Moritz Forsch1, Frederick Hijazi1,2
1Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Department of Quantum Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, 2628CJ, Delft, The Netherlands.
Nature Communications
|November 3, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a new method for converting microwave and optical photons using gallium phosphide resonators. This ultra-low-noise technique enables efficient on-chip photon conversion for quantum technologies.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics and optomechanics
- Solid-state physics
- Nanophotonics and microwave engineering
Background:
- Mechanical resonators facilitate photon interfacing between microwave and optical domains due to high quality factors.
- Optical pumping for frequency conversion introduces significant noise, limiting transduction efficiency and signal integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate bi-directional on-chip conversion between microwave and optical frequencies with ultra-low noise.
- To leverage the properties of thin-film gallium phosphide for efficient optomechanical transduction.
Main Methods:
- Utilized piezoelectric actuation of a Gigahertz-frequency optomechanical resonator made from thin-film gallium phosphide.
- Operated the device at optomechanical cooperativities exceeding one, enabled by large optomechanical coupling and suppressed two-photon absorption.
- Incorporated a high-impedance on-chip matching resonator for impedance matching with a 50-Ω source.
Main Results:
- Achieved bi-directional on-chip conversion between microwave and optical frequencies.
- Demonstrated operation at optomechanical cooperativities greatly exceeding one.
- Induced less than one thermal noise phonon using a pulsed upconversion pump.
Conclusions:
- Thin-film gallium phosphide is a versatile platform for ultra-low-noise photon conversion between microwave and optical frequencies.
- The developed method overcomes previous noise limitations in optomechanical transduction.
- This advancement is crucial for developing quantum communication and sensing technologies.
