Proposal Number:          21-1- T5.04-2489

          

          

   

Subtopic Title:
      Quantum Communications

          

          

   

Proposal Title:
      Entangled Photon Pair Source Based On Thin-Film Lithium-Niobate-On-Insulator Photonic Integrated Circuits

          

          

   

Firm:

          

Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.

          

   

Address:

          

116 Sandy Dr., Newark, DE 19713 - 1187

          

   

Phone:

          

(302) 286-5191                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

University of Delaware

          

   

Address:

          

210 - E Hullihen Hall, DE 19716 - 0000

          

   

Phone:

          

(302) 831-8626                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Dr. Peng Yao

          

   

E-mail:

          

yao@phasesensitiveinc.com

          

   

Address:

          

116 Sandy Dr., DE 19713 - 1187

          

   

Phone:

          

(302) 286-5191                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Ahmed Sharkawy

          

   

E-mail:

          

sharkawy@phasesensitiveinc.com

          

   

Address:

          

116 Sandy Dr, DE 19713 - 1187

          

   

Phone:

          

(302) 898-5544                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :                                                                                                                                                          
Begin: 3
End: 4

          

          

     

Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words):

Herein, PSI propose a system-on-chip (SoC) solution for an entangled photon pair source (EPPS) based on thin-film lithium niobate on insulator (TFLNOI) photonic integrated circuits (PIC). Using integrated photonic devices such as fiber coupler, waveguide, modulator, splitter/combiner and micro-ring, the proposed EPPS can generate and process the entangled photons with high efficiency and speed. In phase I effort, we will study and model the proposed EPPS at the system level and layout specs for key components and systems. We will develop the periodic poling process for the target TFLNOI platform. And we will design and experimentally demonstrate high-efficiency spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) photon pair generation at telecommunication wavelength toward the end of the phase I work. In addition, a variety of PIC components such as waveguide, splitter/coupler, switch, modulator and filter will also be investigated theoretically and/or experimentally leveraging other ongoing government funded projects. The end result of the phase I work includes a demonstrated SPDC structure on a TFLNOI substrate, a system model and a system PIC design leveraging PSI existing PIC components, which will pave the path toward a full SoC prototype in phase II. Based on our pioneer work in TFLNOI PICs development and with our successful experiences in commercialization of SBIR research efforts, PSI is poised to develop, package, qualify and commercialize the proposed EPPS chip for tomorrow’s quantum communication demands.

          

          

     

Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):

High quality entangled photon pair is needed almost in all quantum technologies from quantum communication to quantum computing. As NASA explore deep space in the next decades, reliable, secure and high volume data communication is in urgent demands. Having a high-efficiency, high-speed, low SWaP-C, reconfigurable, integratable PIC-based entangled photon source will not only meet the challenge for many current system, but will also enable many new applications such as quantum internet, high-sensitive sensing and quantum computation.

          

          

     

Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):

Rapid development in quantum information technology demands high-efficiency, reliable and integrated quantum light source. Similarly, photon-based quantum computing also requires entangled photon generation as well as complicated processing. The potential commercial market of the proposed PIC chip is vast. 

          

          

     

Duration:     13