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Integrated quantum optical phase sensor in thin film lithium niobate
Hubert S Stokowski1, Timothy P McKenna2, Taewon Park1,3
1Department of Applied Physics and Ginzton Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
Nature Communications
|June 8, 2023
Summary
Engineered quantum light sources using squeezed states can overcome the quantum noise limit in optical sensors. This study demonstrates a photonic integrated circuit for practical quantum optical sensing with improved phase measurement sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Integrated photonics
- Quantum sensing
Background:
- Quantum noise in light fundamentally limits optical phase sensor sensitivity.
- Squeezed states of light can suppress quantum noise, enabling enhanced phase detection.
- There is a need for deployable quantum sensors utilizing quantum light.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a photonic integrated circuit for practical quantum optical sensing.
- To demonstrate the generation and application of squeezed states in a compact device.
- To improve phase measurement sensitivity beyond the quantum noise limit.
Main Methods:
- Development of a photonic integrated circuit using thin-film lithium niobate.
- Utilizing second-order nonlinearity to generate squeezed states at the pump light frequency.
- Employing electro-optics for circuit control and phase sensing.
Main Results:
- Achieved (2.7 ± 0.2)% squeezing with 26.2 milliwatts of optical power.
- Successfully applied squeezed states to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of phase measurements.
- Demonstrated integrated control and sensing functionalities on a single chip.
Conclusions:
- The developed photonic integrated circuit enables practical quantum optical sensing.
- Low-power operation and on-chip integration of squeezed light generation are achieved.
- This technology opens new avenues for advanced quantum optical sensing applications.
