CAREER: Integrated quantum silicon photonics: Generating high-purity quantum entanglement on a silicon chip

本研究的目的是探索在硅芯片上产生高纯度纠缠光子量子态的变革性方法，这种方法能够用于长途量子通信和片上集成量子计算的各种应用。该方法是将新颖的物理机制、创新的器件设计与先进的纳米制造技术相结合，产生独特的器件特性和戏剧性的腔增强，以实现新的量子功能。智力优势：提出的研究旨在生产性能超过当前技术数量级的纠缠光子对，并将以下优秀特征集成到单个芯片级器件中：高量子态纯度；相干时间长可调；光子产生效率高；能够高速运行；光谱灵活性大；出色的设备可扩展性；具备多通道并行操作能力；在一个集成平台上，与光纤量子通信链路具有简单的接口。更广泛的影响：这项研究有望开辟一个新的研究途径：量子硅光子学。它将为当前和未来各种量子光子应用所需的高质量纠缠光子对提供出色的解决方案，从而显著推进量子信息科学与技术。功能创新将通过发表论文传播到更广泛的研究界，研究成果将纳入PI提供的课程。本研究将培养纳米光子学、非线性光学和量子信息技术等跨学科领域的研究生和本科生。它还将通过相关的外展项目促进K-12学生的兴趣和参与。

The objective of this research is to explore transformative approaches for generating high-purity entangled photonic quantum states, on a silicon chip, that are capable of diverse applications for both long-haul quantum communication and on-chip integrated quantum computing. The approach is to integrate novel physical mechanisms, innovative device design, together with advanced nanofabrication technology, to produce unique device characteristics and dramatic cavity enhancement for realizing novel quantum functionalities.Intellectual Merit: The proposed research aims to produce entangled photon pairs with performance orders of magnitude beyond current techniques, with the following excellent features integrated into a single chip-scale device: high quantum-state purity; long and tunable coherence time; high photon generation efficiency; capable of high-speed operation; large spectral flexibility; excellent device scalability; capable of multi-channel parallel operation; on an integrated platform but with easy interface with fiber-optic quantum communication links. Broader Impact: This research is expected to open up a new research avenue: quantum silicon photonics. It will provide excellent solutions to the current and future need of high-quality entangled photon pairs required for diverse quantum photonic applications, thus significantly advancing quantum information science and technology. Functionality innovations will be disseminated to the broader research community through published papers, and the research outcomes will be incorporated into the course offered by the PI. This research will result in training graduate and undergraduate students in the interdisciplinary areas of nanophotonics, nonlinear optics, and quantum information technology. It will also result in promoting the interest and participation of K-12 students through related outreach programs.