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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
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A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference
Published on: September 5, 2019
Integrated photonic polarization synthesizer and analyzer
Carson G Valdez1, Anna J Miller2, Anne R Kroo2
1Stanford University, Ginzton Laboratory, 348 Via Pueblo Mall, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. carsongv@stanford.edu.
Light, Science & Applications
|July 10, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a photonic integrated circuit for generating and analyzing arbitrary light polarization states. The chip-based system enables advanced polarization control and measurement for photonic applications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Integrated Optics
- Quantum Information Science
Background:
- Polarization-resolved control and measurement are critical for coherent communication, polarimetric sensing, and quantum information processing.
- Current methods often require bulky external optics and direct detection, limiting integration and subsequent optical processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel photonic integrated circuit (PIC) architecture for arbitrary polarization state generation and analysis.
- To demonstrate a chip-based solution for reconfigurable access to the full polarization degree of freedom of coherent light.
Main Methods:
- Developed a PIC architecture enabling on-chip polarization generation and analysis.
- Experimentally demonstrated arbitrary polarization state generation across the Poincaré sphere.
- Implemented Stokes vector measurement inferred from phase settings of interferometrically combined fields, avoiding direct detection.
Main Results:
- Achieved arbitrary polarization state generation and Stokes vector measurement on a single integrated platform.
- The PIC utilizes phase settings for polarization analysis, preserving the optical signal for further processing.
- Fabricated using CMOS-compatible processes for scalable and reproducible integration.
Conclusions:
- The presented PIC offers a compact, stable, and integrated solution for polarization control and analysis.
- Eliminates the need for external polarization optics, paving the way for robust, polarization-enabled photonic integrated systems.
- Enables scalable and reproducible integration for diverse photonic applications.
