@inproceedings{0139153611c8476c918e6eb2bebf385c,
title = "Low-loss all-optical ns-switching for single-photon routing in scalable integrated quantum photonics",
abstract = "Efficient single-photon routing and switching are crucial for optical quantum computing and communication. For this purpose, all-optical switches are designed for gigahertz bandwidths. The switching mechanism is based on the optical Kerr effect via cross-phase modulation (CPM) of the single-photon signal by a strong 1550-nm pump pulse. For energy-efficient switching, this nonlinear effect is exploited in a microresonator that can either be used directly as an intensity switch in a typical add–drop configuration or as a phase shifter in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) structure. To speed up resonance build-up and quenching, a pre-emphasis build and an off-resonance wipe pulse are used. The proposed designs are verified by traveling-wave simulations which demonstrate that 0.1 dB insertion loss and ~1 ns switching windows can be achieved. For a scalable out-of-the-lab transfer, we investigate the feasibility of the proposed switch designs for fabrication in a mature photonic integrated circuit (PIC) platform. In particular, silicon nitride PICs have demonstrated record-low losses which makes them suitable for single-photon applications. By parametric modelling of the microresonator{\textquoteright}s directional couplers based on Lumerical EME and 2.5-dimensional varFDTD simulations, the required power transmission coefficients for both signal and pump wavelength can be achieved. This results in an all-optical switch design ready for fabrication in a commercial PIC foundry which can potentially enable scalable architectures for quantum photonic applications.",
keywords = "all-optical switching, microresonator, nonlinear effects, optical Kerr effect, photonic integrated circuits, quantum photonic applications, silicon nitride, single photons",
author = "Fabian Ruf and Lars Nielsen and Mircea Balauroiu and Nicolas Volet and Martijn Heck",
year = "2022",
month = may,
doi = "10.1117/12.2621540",
language = "English",
isbn = " 9781510651722",
series = "Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering",
publisher = "SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering",
editor = "Baets, { Roel G. } and O'Brien, {Peter } and Vivien, { Laurent }",
booktitle = "Integrated Photonics Platforms II",
address = "United States",
note = "SPIE Photonics Europe ; Conference date: 03-04-2021 Through 07-04-2022",
}