On-chip Quantum Photonics: Low Mode Volumes, Nonlinearities and Nano-Scale Superconducting Detectors

Saman Jahani, Purdue University

Abstract

Miniaturization of optical components with low power consumption fabricated using a CMOS foundry process can pave the way for dense photonic integrated circuits and on-chip quantum information processing. Optical waveguides, modulators/switches, and single-photon detectors are the key components in any photonic circuits, and miniaturizing them is challenging. This requires strong control of evanescent waves to reduce the cross-talk and bending loss as well as low mode volumes to increase light-matter interaction.In this thesis, we propose a paradigm shift in light confinement strategy using transparent all-dielectric metamaterials. Our approach relies on controlling the optical momentum of evanescent waves, an important electromagnetic property overlooked in photonic devices. For practical applications, we experimentally demonstrate photonic skin-depth engineering on a silicon chip to confine light and to reduce the cross-talk and bending loss in a dense photonic integrated circuit.We demonstrate that due to the strong light confinement in the proposed waveguides, it is possible to miniaturize and integrate superconducting nanowire singlephoton detectors (SNSPDs) into a silicon chip. The timing jitter and dark-count rate in these miniaturized SNSPDs can be considerably reduced. Here, we propose a theoretical model to understand the fundamental limits of these nanoscale SNSPDs and the trade-off between timing jitter, dark-count, and quantum efficiency in these detectors. We propose experimental tests to verify the validity of our model.Switching/modulating cavity Purcell factor on-chip is challenging, so we have proposed a nonlinear approach to switch Purcell factors in epsilon near zero (ENZ) materials. We demonstrate fourfold change in the Purcell factor with a switching time of 50 fs.The work in this thesis can lead to a unique platform for on-chip quantum nanophotonics.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Qi, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Optics|Electromagnetics|Nanotechnology|Physics

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