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Integrated millimeter-wave cavity electro-optic transduction
Kevin K S Multani1,2,3, Jason F Herrmann4,5, Emilio A Nanni6
1E.L. Ginzton Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. kmultani@stanford.edu.
Nature Communications
|January 6, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a superconducting electro-optic transducer for millimeter-wave frequencies. This device integrates niobium titanium nitride and lithium niobate, enabling efficient photon transduction for future communication and quantum technologies.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Electrical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Emerging communication and computing technologies require expanded radio frequency spectrum into millimeter-wave (mmWave) and terahertz (THz) ranges.
- Integration of mmWave and electro-optic technologies is crucial for both classical and quantum applications.
- Advancements in modulators and transducers are needed for efficient signal processing at higher frequencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate an integrated triply-resonant, superconducting electro-optic transducer operating at mmWave frequencies.
- To investigate the performance of a device combining superconducting resonators with thin-film lithium niobate.
- To analyze challenges and propose solutions for integrated mmWave resonator design.
Main Methods:
- Designed and fabricated an on-chip transducer integrating a niobium titanium nitride (NbTiN) superconducting resonator (107 GHz) with a thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) optical racetrack resonator.
- Operated the device at telecom wavelengths to measure photon transduction efficiency and single-photon electro-optic interaction rate.
- Conducted a detailed analysis of design challenges for integrated mmWave resonators.
Main Results:
- Achieved a maximum photon transduction efficiency (ηOE) of approximately 0.82 × 10-6.
- Observed an average single-photon electro-optic interaction rate (g0/2π) of approximately 0.7 kHz.
- Identified key challenges in integrated mmWave resonator design and proposed potential solutions.
Conclusions:
- The demonstrated superconducting electro-optic transducer shows promise for efficient signal conversion at mmWave frequencies.
- This work advances resonant electro-optic technologies for applications in next-generation communications and quantum systems.
- The findings provide a foundation for further development of integrated mmWave devices.
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