Integrated spatial multiplexing of heralded single photon sources

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a scalable integrated spatial multiplexing scheme for heralded single photon sources, significantly increasing photon yield without added noise, advancing quantum photonic technologies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel integrated multiplexing approach surpassing the statistical limit of individual sources, enabling scalable and efficient photon generation for quantum applications.

Findings

62.4% increase in heralded photon output from two sources

63.1% increase in heralded photon rate via multiplexing

Scalable architecture demonstrated for integrated quantum photonics

Abstract

The non-deterministic nature of photon sources is a key limitation for single photon quantum processors. Spatial multiplexing overcomes this by enhancing the heralded single photon yield without enhancing the output noise. Here the intrinsic statistical limit of an individual source is surpassed by spatially multiplexing two monolithic silicon correlated photon pair sources, demonstrating a 62.4% increase in the heralded single photon output without an increase in unwanted multi-pair generation. We further demonstrate the scalability of this scheme by multiplexing photons generated in two waveguides pumped via an integrated coupler with a 63.1% increase in the heralded photon rate. This demonstration paves the way for a scalable architecture for multiplexing many photon sources in a compact integrated platform and achieving efficient two photon interference, required at the core of optical quantum computing and quantum communication protocols.