Abstract
Linear optical circuits that can provide reconfigurable interference between several optical modes are emerging as a powerful tool for both classical and quantum optics. In this work, we propose and demonstrate a modular architecture for building these circuits. Each module contains independent phase-controlled Mach–Zehnder interferometers, and several modules can be interfaced to build large reconfigurable interferometers. We demonstrate our approach by fabricating three modules in the form of ultraviolet-written silica-on-silicon chips. We characterize these chips, connect them to each other, and implement a wide range of linear optical transformations. Our work facilitates the development of large-scale linear optical circuits for quantum optics.
Highlights
Integrated photonics is a promising platform for implementing the large-scale mode transformations required for optical quantum information processing [1]
In the same way that programmable electronic chips have allowed for the development of modern computing, programmable optical chips are expected to play an important role in the development of quantum optics and photonics
We present our work on designing, characterizing, and assembling modular devices for use in quantum optics experiments
Summary
Linear optical circuits that can provide reconfigurable interference between several optical modes are emerging as a powerful tool for both classical and quantum optics. We propose and demonstrate a modular architecture for building these circuits. Each module contains independent phase-controlled Mach–Zehnder interferometers, and several modules can be interfaced to build large reconfigurable interferometers. We demonstrate our approach by fabricating three modules in the form of ultraviolet-written silica-onsilicon chips. We characterize these chips, connect them to each other, and implement a wide range of linear optical transformations. Our work facilitates the development of large-scale linear optical circuits for quantum optics
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