Frequency Conversion Research Articles

Frequency conversion in a hydrogen-filled hollow-core fiber using continuous-wave fields

In large-area quantum networks based on optical fibers, photons are the fundamental carriers of information as so-called flying qubits. They may also serve as the interconnect between different components of a hybrid architecture, which might comprise atomic and solid-state platforms operating at visible or near-infrared wavelengths, as well as optical links in the telecom band. Quantum frequency conversion is the pathway to change the color of a single photon while preserving its quantum state. Currently, nonlinear crystals are utilized for this process. However, their performance is limited by their acceptance bandwidth, tunability, polarization sensitivity, and undesired background emission. A promising alternative is based on stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in gases. Here, we demonstrate polarization-preserving frequency conversion in a hydrogen-filled antiresonant hollow-core fiber. This approach holds promises for seamless integration into optical fiber networks and interfaces to single emitters. Disparate from related experiments that employ a pulsed pump field, we here take advantage of two coherent continuous-wave pump fields.

From data to dynamics: Reconstructing soliton collision phenomena in optical fibers using a convolutional autoencoder

In this study, a convolutional autoencoder is constructed to extract and reconstruct the dynamical processes of soliton collisions in optical fibers. The model demonstrates exceptional reconstruction capabilities, accurately capturing the evolution of optical event horizons and reproducing nonlinear phenomena such as complex frequency conversions and energy exchange processes. The reconstruction results show high consistency with the numerical simulations, with RMSE values of 0.0220 and 0.0174 in the temporal and frequency domains, respectively. Additionally, by adjusting the training parameters of the convolutional autoencoder model, its reconstruction performance for nonlinear dynamic processes was further validated. This method is expected to provide a different perspective for studying nonlinear phenomena in optical fibers while reducing the consumption of computational resources.

Nonlinear Frequency Conversion of Dissipative Soliton Resonance Pulses Using the Second Harmonic Generation Effect

Nonlinear Frequency Conversion of Dissipative Soliton Resonance Pulses Using the Second Harmonic Generation Effect

Analytical design of fourth and fifth harmonic generations of an elliptically polarized Bessel-Gauss beam by using the concept of guided wave optics and TIR-QPM technique in a biaxial material

This paper demonstrates the analytical design of an Elliptically polarized Bessel-Gauss beam-based frequency converter by using the guided wave optics concept and Total Internal Reflection Quasi phase matching technique. An anisotropic positive biaxial crystal featuring a rectangular structure of Rubidium Titanyle Phosphate has been used to carry out this analysis. The efficiency of the fourth and fifth harmonic conversion in the projected scheme is 7.05% and 4.3%, respectively, which is approximately three times greater than in a crystal length of approximately 1.4[Formula: see text]mm and 3.4[Formula: see text]mm, as provided by the scheme illuminated by a linearly polarized Bessel-Gauss beam at a wavelength of 735[Formula: see text]nm and 588[Formula: see text]nm, respectively. The influence of limiting factors, viz Goos Hänchen Shift, surface roughness, absorption, and the diffraction effect rooted in the basic law of nonlinear reflection, has also been taken care of in this analysis. The dependence of conversion efficiency on the length, thickness and angle of incidence of the slab has also been studied.

Effects of Thermal Shock from Coastal Nuclear Power Plant Discharges on the Survival of Four Fish Species Under Variable Temperature Rise

In this study, we simulated water temperature changes under variable frequency temperature rise conditions caused by coastal nuclear power plant discharges and conducted thermal shock tests on four fish species: Trachinotus ovatus, Nibea albiflora, Larimichthys crocea, and Acanthopagrus schlegelii at acclimated water temperatures of 25.0°C and 27.5°C during the summer. The effects of these temperature variations on the thermal shock response of the four fish species were analyzed. The results indicated that at 25.0°C, the mortality rate of N. albiflora exhibited an overall upward trend with increasing temperature and duration frequency, with an average mortality rate ranging from 10±3.3% to 38.9±3.3%. For L. crocea, mortality was observed only in the 8.5ºC-100% duration probability group, while other groups had a 0% mortality rate. At 27.5°C, A. schlegelii showed an average mortality rate of 10±3.3% at an 8.5ºC-100% duration probability, with all other groups showing 100% survival. The average mortality rate of T. ovatus at 8.5ºC-100% was 6.7±3.3%, with no mortality in the other treatment groups. The expression level of the hsp70 gene in the liver of N. albiflora increased with higher temperature rise amplitudes and longer frequency conversion durations. Similarly, the hsp70 gene expression in L. crocea and A. schlegelii increased with rising temperatures, though there were no significant differences among groups with varying frequency conversion times. In contrast, the hsp70 gene expression in T. ovatus remained relatively stable across temperature rise treatments, showing no significant differences with varying frequency conversion durations. The heat stress tolerance ranking among the four fish species was determined to be L. crocea > N. albiflora > T. ovatus > A. schlegelii.

Enhanced Second‐Harmonic Generation in Quadratically Nonlinear Weyl Semimetal NbAs for Broadband Photodetection Applications

AbstractQuadratically nonlinear photodetectors (QNPDs) typically focus on 2D materials with high second‐order nonlinear polarizability, thereby severely disregarding bulk nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals as these rely on phase‐matching technology and achieving efficient bulk QNPDs remains a significant challenge. Weyl semimetal crystals have some signatures of inversion symmetry breaking, most notably second‐order NLO polarizability, while the inability to balance the low transmittance limits frequency conversion of the zero‐band gap absorption‐induced crystal. Herein, this study investigates an efficient QNPD based on bulk NbAs crystals designed with a strong second‐harmonic effect due to its large refractive index (≈5.0), resulting in an intense laser reflectivity of 50% on its surface, which creates a favorable environment for achieving second‐harmonic generation (SHG) without phase matching. The QNPD has a rectification ratio exceeding 107 with a dark current of 164 pA and an enhanced photoresponse in the 355‒1900 nm range, exhibiting a maximum responsivity of 4.1 mA W−1 with a detectivity of 0.8 × 1010 Jones at 355 nm. The responsivity improvement rate is 88% higher than that of linear NbAs (001) photodetector. This study opens new avenues for designing QNPDs by utilizing the second harmonic effect in bulk Weyl semimetal crystals.

Direct laser poling of lithium niobate on insulator with femtosecond laser

We demonstrated experimentally direct femtosecond writing of ferroelectric domains in lithium niobate on insulator. The fabricated ferroelectric domain structures were characterized using Cherenkov second harmonic microscopy and piezoresponse force microscopy. We also experimentally explored the far-field second harmonic generation from the laser-induced ferroelectric domain structures. This study opens the door for direct laser writing of lithium niobate-based integrated photonic circuits, which typically require on-chip frequency conversion and wavefront control.

Efficient Simultaneous Second Harmonic Generation and Dispersive Wave Generation in Lithium Niobate Thin Film

AbstractLithium niobate thin film (LNTF) is a promising platform for ultra‐low loss nonlinear integrated photonics. Here, the simultaneous generation of second harmonic wave (SHW) and dispersive wave (DW) are demonstrated in a single LNTF under the pump of a femtosecond pulse laser, with a conversion efficiency exceeding 25%. The second harmonic generation (SHG) uses the modal phase matching mechanism based on the second‐order nonlinear effect, while the DW generation is based on the perturbations of soliton dynamics caused by self‐phase modulation and higher‐order dispersion. Notably, significant and symmetrical SHW and DW patterns are observed, which exhibit strong spatial dispersion properties. A comprehensive analysis of the phase‐matching conditions are conducted for SHG and DW generation and provide a clear elucidation of the spectral properties of different regions of the emitted light patterns. Additionally, the evolution of the pump light in LNTF is thoroughly investigated, and the solutions of the generalized Schrödinger equation are in good agreement with these experimental results. This work sheds new light on the rich physics of nonlinear optical interactions on LNTF, and by utilizing the synergistic effect of second‐order and third‐order nonlinear effects, this study anticipates achieving efficient and high energy on‐chip broadband frequency conversion and supercontinuum generation across octaves.

Stabilized 30 µJ dissipative soliton resonance laser source at 1064 nm

We demonstrate the first successful stabilization of a dissipative soliton resonance (DSR) mode-locked (ML) laser source using straightforward techniques. Our setup employed a figure-8 (F8) resonator configuration and a nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) to achieve stable mode-locking, generating 1064 nm rectangular pulses with a 3 ns duration at a repetition frequency of ~ 1 MHz. The pulses were boosted in an all-fiber amplifier chain and reached 30 µJ and 10 kW peak power per pulse at 30 W average output power. We addressed a critical gap in the literature by actively stabilizing key DSR pulse parameters: average output power (improved by a factor of 51), pulse repetition frequency (improved by 7583 using cross-phase modulation for synchronization), and pulse duration (improved by a factor of ~ 4). Additionally, we included a numerical analysis to explore the pulse formation mechanisms in DSR ML lasers working in a F8 configuration. Our findings show that non-complex all-in-fiber DSR ML lasers can reliably produce high-energy pulses with stable, repeatable parameters, making them suitable for future applications e.g. in nonlinear frequency conversion, laser micromachining, or LIDAR.

Perfluorocarbons: a material platform for tunable nonlinear frequency conversion in liquid filled suspended core fibers

This study investigates supercontinuum generation in suspended core fibers filled with perfluorocarbons, highlighting their potential for ultrafast nonlinear frequency conversion. Spectroscopic absorption and refractive index dispersions are analyzed for three perfluorocarbons in the visible and near-infrared. Experiments show that the insertion of these liquids into suspended core fibers changes the dispersion landscape, enabling broadband soliton-based supercontinuum generation from 0.6 µm to 2.4 µm due to the creation of a confined domain of anomalous dispersion in the telecom range. In addition, temperature-dependent output spectrum modulation is demonstrated, highlighting the utility of the platform in photonic applications such as spectroscopy, sensing, and microscopy.

In situ mixer calibration for superconducting quantum circuits

Mixers play a crucial role in superconducting quantum computing, primarily by facilitating frequency conversion of signals to enable precise control and readout of quantum states. However, imperfections, particularly local oscillator leakage and unwanted sideband signal, can significantly compromise control fidelity. To mitigate these defects, regular and precise mixer calibrations are indispensable, yet they pose a formidable challenge in large-scale quantum control. Here, we introduce an in situ and scalable mixer calibration scheme using superconducting qubits. Our method leverages the qubit's response to imperfect signals, allowing for calibration without modifying the wiring configuration. We experimentally validate the efficacy of this technique by benchmarking single-qubit gate error and qubit coherence time.

Research on Radial Vibration Model and Low-Frequency Vibration Suppression Method in PMSM by Injecting Multiple Symmetric Harmonic Currents

Driven by frequency conversion, the windings of a three-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) contain both odd and even harmonic currents. Due to the motor’s pole–slot conductance modulation, the interaction between the magnetic fields generated by these harmonic currents and the permanent magnet field results in harmonic radial vibrations of the motor. This paper analyzes the three-phase currents of the prototype and derives the radial magnetomotive force (MMF) spatiotemporal models for symmetric harmonic currents. By integrating Maxwell’s magnetic force formula and vibration response formula, the radial vibration models for symmetric harmonic currents are developed. The characteristics of vibrations caused by odd and even harmonic currents, as well as positive sequence and negative sequence harmonic currents, are analyzed separately. A cyclic sequence, low-frequency vibration suppression control method incorporating multiple harmonic current injections was designed. Experimental results of this method are compared with those obtained using an ideal sinusoidal current. Except for the second harmonic vibration, all other vibrations are significantly suppressed, with a maximum suppression rate of 92.28%. The total vibration level is reduced by 12.7619 dB, and the average torque is reduced by 0.67% with the total harmonic distortion of the current at 2.89%. The experimental results show that the vibration method in this paper has little influence on the average torque of the motor, the current distortion rate is small, and the vibration suppression effect is good.

Angled fiber-coupled MgF[formula omitted] microcavities for nonlinear optics in 1.5 and [formula omitted] bands

A versatile angled fiber coupling platform for magnesium fluoride whispering gallery mode resonators is used to investigate nonlinear frequency conversion across 1.5 and 2 μm bands. We characterize MgF2 microcavities of varying sizes (4.3 mm, 1.9 mm, and 0.73 mm in diameter), achieving quality factors up to 2×109 at 1.55μm and 5×108 at 1.94μm. In the telecom regime, we observe rich nonlinear phenomena including Kerr comb generation, Brillouin lasing, and Raman lasing. Extending to the 2 μm band, we demonstrate four-wave mixing in a sub-millimeter cavity, highlighting the platform’s potential for the 2 μm band mid-infrared nonlinear optics.

Merging bound states in the continuum-driven ultrahigh sensing figure of merit in all-dielectric metasurfaces.

Radiation-free photonic bound states in the continuum (BIC) in metasurfaces allow ultrahigh quality (Q) factor and strongly confined mode volume, which are extremely advantageous in the development of ultrasensitive microcavity sensors. However, the conventional isolated BICs are susceptible to failure due to symmetry breaking caused by fabrication imperfection and nonzero incident angle. Here, we propose a silicon nitride-based metasurface with multiple BIC merging. The merging of accidental BIC and symmetry-protected BIC can increase the Q-factor near the Brillouin zone Γ point and thus robustly induces a figure of merit (FOM) of refractive index sensing at small incident angles two orders of magnitude higher than that in isolated BIC configuration. Specifically, the FOM in merging BIC reaches 108 at a 2° incident angle. The BIC merging can be universally achieved in square lattices with C4 symmetry, and slower decay of Q-factor and higher FOM can further occur in hexagonal lattices benefiting from higher-order topological charges. The advantage of merging BIC is also maintained when considering in-plane and out-of-plane symmetry breaking. These results offer a unique design path for high-performance metasurface sensors and can be extended to other high-Q applications such as low-threshold lasers, nonlinear frequency conversion, and low-loss waveguides.

Tailoring Second Harmonic Generation via Strong Coupling in a One‐Dimensional Photonic Crystal Heterostructure

Controlling harmonic generation is crucial for nonlinear optics and nanophotonic devices. Herein, a 1D photonic crystal heterostructure is theoretically proposed comprising a metal film, a lithium niobate layer, and a distributed Bragg reflector with a defect layer. The Tamm state and the defect state for dual‐band second‐harmonic generation (SHG) enhancement simultaneously are numerically investigated. Finite‐element method simulations indicate that SHG efficiencies based on Tamm plasmons and the defect state are 6.85 × 10−6 and 3.28 × 10−4, respectively. Intriguingly, the strong coupling between the defect state and Tamm plasmons enables spatial energy exchange, leading to the SHG switching between them. In the strong coupling region with Rabi splitting energy up to 5.5 meV, the SHG conversion efficiency reaching 5 × 10−5 is observed for both two new hybridized states. During the entire anticrossing Rabi splitting process, the SHG efficiency difference between two resonances can be modulated by up to two orders of magnitude. The coupling strength between two resonances is adjusted by varying the position of the defect layer. Simulation results are consistent with the coupled oscillator model. This work not only offers a platform for studying nonlinear frequency conversion but also establishes a new method of using strong coupling to tailor SHG.

Chirality-controlled second-order nonlinear frequency conversion in lithium niobate film metasurfaces.

The high-quality factor resonant metasurfaces have extensive applications in enhancing nonlinear frequency conversion efficiency at the subwavelength scale. However, methods for actively modulating the frequency conversion process are limited. We design a chiral lithium niobate film metasurface and investigate the photonic spin as a new degree of freedom to dynamically control the second-order nonlinear frequency conversion, without reconfiguring the structure by using external stimuli. The chiral resonance with circular dichroism (CD) of 0.62 gives rise to a high nonlinear CD of 0.84 in second-harmonic generation efficiency. Interestingly, combining the chiral resonance and an achiral quasi-bound state in the continuum enables us to investigate the photonic-spin-controlled sum-frequency generation and the photon pair generation from the spontaneous parametric downconversion process. Owing to the ultrahigh quality factor exceeding 103 both for two resonances, the second-order nonlinear frequency conversion occurs at a wavelength region of 0.2 nm, suggesting good monochromaticity. Our work opens new, to our knowledge, avenues for practical implementation of dynamically controlled nonlinear optical devices and will find utility in holography, switchable light sources, and information processing.

Noise analysis of a quasi-phase-matched quantum frequency converter and higher-order counter-propagating SPDC

Quantum frequency conversion (QFC) will be an indispensable ingredient in future quantum technologies. For example, large-scale fibre-based quantum networks will require QFC to interconnect heterogeneous building blocks like emitters, channels, memories, and detectors. The performance of existing QFC devices – typically realized in periodically poled nonlinear crystals – is often severely limited by parasitic noise that arises when the pump wavelength lies between the inter-converted wavelengths. Here we comprehensively investigate the noise spectrum of a QFC device pumped by a CW 1064 nm laser. The converter was realized as a bulk periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate (ppKTP) crystal quasi-phase-matched for conversion between 637 nm and 1587 nm, which was also polished and coated to resonantly enhance the pump field by a factor of 50. While Raman scattering dominates the noise background from 1140 nm to 1330 nm, at larger energy shifts (beyond 60 THz), parasitic spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) is the strongest noise source. Further, the noise spectrum was contaminated by a regular succession of narrow-band peaks, which we attribute to a heretofore unidentified higher-order counter-propagating SPDC processes – with quasi-phase-matching orders up to 44 evident in our measurements. This work provides a comprehensive overview of the limiting noise sources in QFC devices that use quasi-phase-matched crystals and will prove an invaluable resource in guiding their future development.

High-Q terahertz chirality enhancement using elliptical hole metasurface

Circular dichroism (CD) technology has garnered significant attention due to its extensive applications in ultra-sensitive biosensing and spin-selective optical frequency conversion. However, existing terahertz chiral structures are constrained by linewidth, which limits their effectiveness in narrowband signal processing. In this study, we propose the notion of quasi-bound states in the continuum (quasi-BIC) within a planar elliptical hole all-silicon terahertz metasurface that exhibits broken mirror symmetry. This approach achieves a CD value as high as 0.97, with a linewidth below 0.5 GHz and a Quality (Q)-factor reaching up to 107 in the 1.3 THz to 1.55 THz band, thereby enabling ultra-narrowband terahertz chirality. This method significantly enhances the Q-factor of optical resonant systems, reduces linewidth, and achieves strong CD while addressing the trade-off between high Q-factor and high CD observed in existing structures. The theoretical foundations for achieving ultra-narrow linewidth are established through band structure calculations and far-field polarization analysis. Additionally, the Q-factor of quasi-BIC can be flexibly optimized through parameter tuning, rendering it more practical than perfect BIC in real-world applications. This study presents a novel solution for terahertz narrowband chirality and optical filters, potentially advancing technologies in related fields.© 2024 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Publishing Group Open Access Publishing Agreement.

Qubit teleportation between a memory-compatible photonic time-bin qubit and a solid-state quantum network node

We report on a quantum interface linking a diamond NV center quantum network node and 795nm photonic time-bin qubits compatible with Thulium and Rubidium quantum memories. The interface makes use of two-stage low-noise quantum frequency conversion and waveform shaping to match temporal and spectral photon profiles. Two-photon quantum interference shows high indistinguishability between converted 795nm photons and the native NV center photons. We use the interface to demonstrate quantum teleportation including real-time feedforward from an unbiased set of 795nm photonic qubit input states to the NV center spin qubit, achieving a teleportation fidelity well above the classical bound. This proof-of-concept experiment shows the feasibility of interconnecting different quantum network hardware.

All-fiber supercontinuum absorption spectroscopy for mid-infrared gas sensing

The development of compact fiber-based light sources emitting over a wide wavelength range in the mid-infrared and their application to the detection of greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds still remain of critical interest. In the present work, we make use of several dedicated infrared fibers for implementing a mid-infrared optical device pumped by a thulium doped-fiber laser around 1.965 μm that simultaneously enables a first nonlinear stage of frequency conversion and supercontinuum generation and a second linear stage of gas absorption spectroscopy. As a proof-of-principle, we carry out mid-infrared supercontinuum absorption spectroscopy of methane around 7.7 μm by means of a hollow-core fiber-based gas cell combined to a commercial Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer. Our all-fiber configuration operating in the femtosecond regime at megahertz repetition rate allows the detection of methane concentrations as low as 20 ppm.