Quantifying Hidden Nonlinear Noise in Integrated Photonics

TL;DR

This paper investigates the impact of nonlinear noise in integrated photonic devices using spontaneous four-wave mixing, emphasizing design strategies to preserve quantum state purity and quantify noise effects.

Contribution

It provides experimental and simulated analysis of nonlinear noise effects, proposing design guidelines to improve quantum state purity in integrated photonics.

Findings

Nonlinear noise significantly reduces quantum state purity.

Limiting photon generation outside sources maintains higher purity.

Purity can drop below 40% without proper design measures.

Abstract

We present experimental and simulated results to quantify the impact of nonlinear noise in integrated photonic devices relying on spontaneous four-wave mixing. Our results highlight the need for design rule adaptations to mitigate the otherwise intrinsic reduction in quantum state purity. The best strategy in devices with multiple parallel photon sources is to strictly limit photon generation outside of the sources. Otherwise, our results suggest that purity can decrease below 40%.