Integrated optomechanics and single-photon detection in diamond photonic integrated circuits

Abstract

The development of quantum computers and quantum simulators promises to provide solutions to problems, which can currently not be solved on classical computers. Finding the best physical implementation for such technologies is an important research topic and using optical effects is a promising route towards this goal. It was theoretically shown that optical quantum computing is possible using only single-photon sources and detectors, and linear optical circuits. An experimental implementation of such quantum optical circuits requires a stable, robust and scalable architecture. This can be achieved via miniaturization of the optical devices in the form of photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The development of a suitable material platform for such PICs could therefore have a large impact on future technologies. Diamond is a particularly attractive material here, as it naturally offers a range of optically active defects, which can act as single-photon sources, quantum memories, or sensor elements. Besides its excellent optical properties, diamond also has a very high Young's modulus, which is important for optomechanics, and can be employed for potentially fast and low-loss tuning of PICs after fabrication. In this work, components for future quantum optical circuits are developed. This includes the first diamond optomechanical elements, as well as the first integrated single-photon detectors on a diamond material platform. Diamond micromechanical resonators with high quality factors are realized and their actuation via optical gradient forces and electrostatic forces is demonstrated. The accomplished superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors show excellent performance in terms of low timing jitter, high detection efficiency, and low noise-equivalent power. Moreover, a novel scalable method for PIC fabrication from high quality single crystal diamond is presented.