KTP Waveguide Research Articles

Demonstrating quantum properties of triple photons generated by chi ^3 processes

Triple-photon generation (TPG) is based on a third-order nonlinear optical interaction, which is the most direct way to produce pure quantum three-photon states. These states can exhibit three-body quantum correlations, and their statistics cannot be reproduced by any Gaussian statistics of coherent sources or optical parametric twin-photon generator, making them potentially useful for quantum information processing tasks such as quantum state distillation, quantum error-correction and universal quantum computing. Furthermore, the generation of entangled photon pairs heralded by the detection of a third photon can be used in advanced quantum communication protocols. We made the first experimental demonstration of TPG in 2004 using a bi-stimulation scheme in a bulk KTP crystal, followed by the quantum theory. The new challenges are now to achieve a spontaneous TPG and the corresponding quantum experiments and protocols using oriented ridge KTP waveguides, which ensures both birefringence phase-matching and light confinement. The waveguides are cut by a precision dicing saw. We recently performed their characterization using third-harmonic generation measurements, which showed their good quality. A rate of about 5 triplets per second is expected when pumping a 5-cm-long waveguide with a 5-W 532 nm beam in the CW regime. Such a spontaneous TPG exhibits low rate of triple photons, which makes the certification of quantum features hard. In this article, we review our theoretical and experimental work on TPG and the associated quantum modeling. We also develop theoretical tools for the certification of quantum features of spontaneous triple-photon states.Graphic abstract

Observation of frequency-uncorrelated photon pairs generated by counter-propagating spontaneous parametric down-conversion

We report the generation of frequency-uncorrelated photon pairs from counter-propagating spontaneous parametric down-conversion in a periodically-poled KTP waveguide. The joint spectral intensity of photon pairs is characterized by measuring the corresponding stimulated process, namely, the difference frequency generation process. The experimental result shows a clear uncorrelated joint spectrum, where the backward-propagating photon has a narrow bandwidth of 7.46 GHz and the forward-propagating one has a bandwidth of 0.23 THz like the pump light. The heralded single-photon purity estimated through Schmidt decomposition is as high as 0.996, showing a perspective for ultra-purity and narrow-band single-photon generation. Such unique feature results from the backward-wave quasi-phase-matching condition and does not has a strict limitation on the material and working wavelength, thus fascinating its application in photonic quantum technologies.

Spatially single mode photon pair source at 800 nm in periodically poled Rubidium exchanged KTP waveguides.

Photon pair sources in the visible to NIR wavelength region play a key role in quantum optics. The wavelength range around 800 nm provides an opportunity for using low cost detectors, which makes it highly interesting for practical, large scale quantum applications. Here, we report on the realization of single mode Rubidium (Rb) exchanged waveguides in periodically poled (PP) Potassium Titanyl Phosphate (Rb:KTiOPO4 or Rb:KTP) for frequency-non-degenerate type II parametric down-conversion pumped at 400 nm and generating pairs of photons at around 800 nm. The source exhibits a nonlinear conversion efficiency of 2.0%/(Wcm2), estimated from SHG measurements. Characterisation of the generated two-photon state confirms nonclassical photon-number correlations, characterized by g(1,1). The high nonlinear conversion efficiency and low temperature sensitivity make this source a promising candidate for operations in both classical and quantum integrated network applications.

Characterisation of width-dependent diffusion dynamics in rubidium-exchanged KTP waveguides.

Integrated χ(2) devices are a widespread tool for the generation and manipulation of light fields, since they exhibit high efficiency, a small footprint and the ability to interface them with fibre networks. Surprisingly, some commonly used material substrates are not yet fully understood, in particular potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP). A thorough understanding of the fabrication process of waveguides in this material and analysis of their properties is crucial for the realization and the engineering of high efficiency devices for quantum applications. In this paper we present our studies on rubidium-exchanged waveguides fabricated in KTP. Employing energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), we analysed a set of waveguides fabricated with different production parameters in terms of time and temperature. We find that the waveguide depth is dependent on their widths by reconstructing the waveguide depth profiles. Narrower waveguides are deeper, contrary to the theoretical model usually employed. Moreover, we found that the variation of the penetration depth with the waveguide width is stronger at higher temperatures and times. We attribute this behaviour to stress-induced variation in the diffusion process.

Quantum Frequency Conversion between Infrared and Ultraviolet

We report on the implementation of quantum frequency conversion (QFC) between infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths by using single-stage upconversion in a periodically poled KTP waveguide. Due to the monolithic waveguide design, we manage to transfer a telecommunication band input photon to the wavelength of the ionic dipole transition of Yb${}^{+}$ at 369.5 nm. The external (internal) conversion efficiency is around 5\% (10\%). The high energy pump used in this converter introduces a spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC) process, which is a cause for noise in the UV mode. Using this SPDC process, we show that the converter preserves non-classical correlations in the upconversion process, rendering this miniaturized interface a source for quantum states of light in the UV.

High power and high SFDR frequency conversion using sum frequency generation in KTP waveguides.

We characterize the intermodulation distortion of high power and efficient frequency conversion of modulated optical signals based on sum frequency generation (SFG) in a periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) waveguide. Unwanted frequency two-tone spurs are generated near the converted signal via a three-step cascaded three-wave mixing process. Computer simulations describing the process are presented along with the experimental measurements. High-conversion efficiencies and large spur-free dynamic range of the converted optical signal are demonstrated.

Simulating single-photon sources based on backward-wave spontaneous parametric down-conversion in a periodically poled KTP waveguide

The properties of the backward-wave spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in a periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) waveguide are studied in the context of creating narrowband heralded sources of single-photon states. The effective index of refraction and spatial profile of different waveguide modes, efficiency of different SPDC processes and purity of heralded photons are calculated numerically for a given waveguide. Compared to the usual co-propagating SPDC, spectral narrowing of the backward- wave SPDC was observed as should be expected.

Time-multiplexed measurements of nonclassical light at telecom wavelengths

We report the experimental reconstruction of the statistical properties of an ultrafast pulsed type-II parametric down conversion source in a periodically poled KTP waveguide at telecom wavelengths, with almost perfect photon-number correlations. We used a photon-number-resolving time-multiplexed detector based on a fiber-optical setup and a pair of avalanche photodiodes. By resorting to a germane data-pattern tomography, we assess the properties of the nonclassical light states states with unprecedented precision.

Visible and near-infrared optical properties of a proton-implanted KTP waveguide.

In this work, the optical properties of potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) waveguides in the visible and near-infrared region are reported. The KTP waveguides were fabricated using 550 keV proton implantation at room temperature, and the refractive index profiles of the implanted region in the visible and near-infrared region were reconstructed. The profiles of the guided modes were measured through the end-face coupling method with both 632.8 and 1539 nm laser sources and then compared with the simulation results using the beam propagation method. Optical transmission and Raman spectra in the original substrate and waveguide active region were measured to study microstructural changes. The propagation loss of the TM0-mode at 632.8 nm was also measured.

An optimized photon pair source for quantum circuits

We implement an ultrafast pulsed type-II parametric down conversion source in a periodically poled KTP waveguide at telecommunication wavelengths with almost identical properties between signal and idler. As such, our source resembles closely a pure, genuine single mode photon pair source with indistinguishable modes. We measure the joint spectral intensity distribution and second order correlation functions of the marginal beams and find with both methods very low effective mode numbers corresponding to a Schmidt number below 1.16. We further demonstrate the indistinguishability as well as the purity of signal and idler photons by Hong-Ou-Mandel interferences between signal and idler and between signal/idler and a coherent field, respectively. Without using narrowband spectral filtering, we achieve a visibility for the interference between signal and idler of 94.8% and determine a purity of more than 80% for the heralded single photon states. Moreover, we measure raw heralding efficiencies of 20.5% and 15.5% for the signal and idler beams corresponding to detector-loss corrected values of 80% and 70%.

Spatial and spectral properties of fields generated by pulsed second-harmonic generation in a periodically poled potassium-titanyl-phosphate waveguide

Spatial and spectral properties of the pulsed second harmonic generation in a periodically-poled KTP waveguide exploiting simultaneously the first, second, and third harmonics of periodic nonlinear modulation are analyzed. Experimental results are interpreted using a model based on finite elements method. Correlations between spatial and spectral properties of the fundamental and second-harmonic fields are revealed. Individual nonlinear processes can be exploited combining spatial and spectral filtering. Also the influence of waveguide parameters to the second-harmonic spectra is addressed.

Theoretical modeling and experiment of refractive index change in He+ ion-implanted KTP waveguide

A theoretical model is presented to explain the refractive index change in the ion-implanted KTP waveguide, which includes respective contributions of spontaneous polarization, molar polarization and molar volume, and photoelastic effect. Numerical calculations of refractive indices along different crystalline orientations (X, Y, and Z) as a function of the lattice damage level, determined by Rutherford back-scattering/channeling technique, are performed based on the results from a set of z-cut KTP crystals implanted by 300 keV He+ ions in doses ranging from 4×10(16) to 8×10(16) ions/cm2. The theoretical results show consistency with the experimental data. To our knowledge, this is the first model to comprehensively describe the ion-implanted KTP planar waveguide.

Non-degenerated sequential time-bin entanglement generation using periodically poled KTP waveguide

We have experimentally implemented a non-degenerate sequential time-bin entangled photon-pair source using a periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate waveguide at a clock rate of 1 GHz. The wavelengths of the signal and idler are 895 nm and 1310 nm, which are suitable for local and long distance optical communications, respectively and the 895 nm signal is also suitable for quantum memory research. A silicon avalanche photodiode is used to detect the photons at 895 nm while a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide based up-conversion detector is used to detect the photons at 1310 nm. The measured entangled-photon-pair flux rate is 650 Hz and the fringe visibility for two-photon interference is 79.4% without noise subtraction.

Broadband amplitude squeezing in a periodically poled KTiOPO_4 waveguide

We generated -2.2 dB of broadband amplitude squeezing at 1064 nm in a periodically poled KTiOPO_4 (PPKTP) waveguide, by coupling of the fundamental and second harmonic continuous-wave fields. This is the largest amount of squeezing obtained to date in a KTP waveguide, limited by propagation losses. This result paves the way for further improvements by use of lower-loss buried ion-exchanged waveguides.

Broadband frequency mode entanglement in waveguided parametric downconversion

We report the observation of beatings of the coincidence event rate in a Hong-Ou-Mandel interference (HOMI) between signal and idler photons from a parametric downconversion (PDC) process inside a multimode KTP waveguide. As an explanation we introduce biphotonic states entangled in their broadband frequency modes generated by waveguide mode triples and propose a suitable entanglement detection scheme.

Hemisphere m-line spectroscopy and its application to birefringent KTiOPO4 planar waveguides

A modified m-line technique, based on the use of a high index hemisphere instead of a coupling prism is presented. It allows fast characterization of the optical properties as a function of the propagation direction inside a planar waveguide. Results of an ion-implanted KTP waveguide are presented and compared to prism measurements. It is shown that this technique enhances the precision of the waveguide parameters determination and allows to study advanced features such as strong mode hybridization.

Highly efficient blue-light generation from a compact, diode-pumped femtosecond laser by use of a periodically poled KTP waveguide crystal.

We present a simplified, potentially portable, and highly efficient blue-light source from a periodically poled KTP waveguide crystal with a compact femtosecond Cr:LiSAF laser. This light source generates 5.6 mW of blue average output power at 424 nm with 27 mW of incident fundamental in a single-pass extracavity arrangement at room temperature. The overall system efficiency of electrical power to blue light is 0.5%, and the internal second-harmonic generation conversion efficiency is as high as 37%. The slope efficiency of 5.5% pJ(-1) at low pulse energies is, to our knowledge, the highest slope efficiency yet reported for frequency conversion into the blue spectral region.

Efficient frequency doubling of a pulsed laser diode by use of a periodically poled KTP waveguide crystal with Bragg gratings

Blue light with an average power of as much as 7.5 mW in picosecond pulses has been generated at 486, 488, and 491 nm from a frequency-doubled, nonresonant injection seeded, gain-switched InGaAs/GaAs diode laser by use of a periodically poled KTP waveguide crystal that incorporates a Bragg grating section.

Refractive index profiles of MeV phosphor ion implanted planar waveguide in KTP

The first MeV phosphor ion implanted planar optical waveguide in KTiOPO 4 (KTP) is reported. The modes in the KTP waveguide were measured by dark mode coupling method using a model 2010 prism coupler. The refractive index profile was analyzed by reflectivity calculation method (RCM) at room temperature, after treatment at 200°C for 30 min (in air) and 77 K for 150 min (in liquid nitrogen), respectively.

EFFICIENT GENERATION OF COHERENT BLUE AND GREEN LIGHT BASED ON FREQUENCY CONVERSION IN KTiOPO4 CRYSTALS

We review our recent results on efficient generation of coherent blue/green light based on different configurations and structures. We have used second-harmonic generation with forward or backward configuration in short-period periodically-poled bulk and wave-guide KTP to generate blue light. We have used backward second-harmonic generation to characterize periodically-segmented submicron KTP waveguides. By cascading second-harmonic generation and subsequent sum-frequency generation, we have generated coherent blue light in KTP and/or Ce:KTP crystals. We have also studied damage threshold of bulk KTP; we hope that we can eventually use it towards efficient generation of cw coherent green light.