Efficient Detection of Squeezed Light on Nanophotonic Chips using Subwavelength-Engineered Superconducting Nanowire Avalanche Photodetectors (ESSENS)

Basic data for this project

Description

Quantum photonics has become a key driver for the development of novel applications—such quantum information processing and sensing—that leverage quantum effects to open new possibilities beyond classical capabilities. Squeezed states of light are particularly promising for such applications and have been employed, e.g., to conduct Gaussian boson sampling experiments. Despite the success of these experiments, the use of bulk optical components hinders scalability and phase stabilization. Thus, higher levels of photonic integration are strongly desired. However, the exploitation of squeezed light, which critically relies on efficient detection, has not yet been achieved using nanophotonic chips because of the limited efficiency of the required fiber-chip couplers and single-photon detectors (SPDs). In this project, an optical fiber–accessible, photonic integrated system will be implemented to demonstrate on-chip detection of squeezed light at telecom wavelengths. To accomplish this goal, two approaches will be employed to assist fiber-chip couplers and waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire SPDs, enabling access to previously inaccessible regions of the design space: subwavelength grating (SWG) metamaterials and direct-laser-writing (DLW) fabrication technology. The outcome of this project will break new ground for exploiting squeezed states for applications in quantum simulation, communication, and sensing with hundreds of detectors and interferometers on highly integrated, monolithic chips with near perfect phase stability. This project will be completed in a leading interdisciplinary research group. The applicant’s background in integrated photonics and SWG metamaterial engineering will be combined with the expertise on quantum detectors and the DLW nanofabrication capabilities of the host group. The proposed work will expand the applicant’s experience, skills and professional networks, re-enforcing the advance of his career as an independent researcher.