Electrically-programmable frequency comb for compact quantum photonic circuits

TL;DR

This paper introduces an electrically-controlled, CMOS-compatible frequency comb generator based on nonlinear Fano resonances, enabling programmable, multifrequency quantum states for compact quantum photonic circuits.

Contribution

It presents a novel, voltage-tunable frequency comb device using nonlinear Fano resonances, enhancing integration and programmability in quantum photonic circuits.

Findings

Device operates within hundreds of femtoseconds.

Entanglement can be continuously tuned by voltage.

Device is CMOS-compatible and integrable.

Abstract

Recent efforts have demonstrated the first prototypes of compact and programmable photonic quantum computers~(PQCs). Utilization of time-bin encoding in loop-like architectures enabled a programmable generation of quantum states and execution of different~(programmable) logic gates on a single circuit. Actually, there is still space for better compactness and complexity of available quantum states: photonic circuits~(PCs) can function at different frequencies. This necessitates an optical component, which can make different frequencies talk with each other. This component should be integrable into PCs and be controlled -- preferably -- by voltage for programmable generation of multifrequency quantum states and PQCs. Here, we propose a device that controls a four-wave mixing process, essential for frequency combs. We utilize nonlinear Fano resonances. Entanglement generated by the device can be tuned continuously by the applied voltage which can be delivered to the device via nm-thick wires. The device is integrable, CMOS-compatible, and operates within a timescale of hundreds of femtoseconds.