Abstract
AbstractSatellite‐based quantum technologies represent a possible route for extending the achievable range of quantum communication, allowing the construction of worldwide quantum networks without quantum repeaters. In space missions, however, the volume available for the instrumentation is limited, and footprint is a crucial specification of the devices that can be employed. Integrated optics could be highly beneficial in this sense, as it allows for the miniaturization of different functionalities in small and monolithic photonic circuits. This article reports on qualification of waveguides fabricated in glass by femtosecond laser micromachining for their use in a low Earth orbit space environment. In particular, different laser‐written integrated devices, such as straight waveguides, directional couplers, and Mach–Zehnder interferometers, are exposed to suitable proton and γ‐ray irradiation. This experiment shows that no significant changes have been induced to their characteristics and performances by the radiation exposure. These results, combined with the high compatibility of laser‐written optical circuits to quantum communication applications, pave the way for the use of laser‐written integrated photonic components in future satellite missions.
Highlights
Optical quantum technologies will revolutionize future information processing, communication, and sensing applications [1]
Satellite-based quantum technologies represent a possible route for extending the achievable range of quantum communication, allowing the construction of worldwide quantum networks without quantum repeaters
We report on the qualification of waveguides fabricated in glass by femtosecond laser micromachining for their use in a low Earth orbit space environment
Summary
Optical quantum technologies will revolutionize future information processing, communication, and sensing applications [1]. Waveguide-based architectures have the twofold advantage over bulk-optics of reducing substantially the footprint of the devices, while guaranteeing a unique degree of interferometric stability of the light paths Given these advantages, many of the near-future quantum space missions will rely on, or could at least benefit from such integrated waveguide optics, as they allow for much more compact payloads. Laser-written waveguides can be tailored for showing a low degree of birefringence, on the order of 10−6 [32], and are capable of supporting the polarization encoding of quantum information, widely exploited in free-space quantum links [33] All these factors contribute in making laser written optical circuits highly appealing for space-based quantum communication applications, especially as quantum light sources could be directly integrated and interfaced with the waveguides [34].
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