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

这项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，这些量子态能够在长距离量子通信和片上集成量子计算中得到不同的应用。该方法将新的物理机制、创新的器件设计和先进的纳米制造技术相结合，以产生独特的器件特性和戏剧性的腔体增强，以实现新的量子功能。智能优势：所提出的研究旨在制造纠缠光子对，其性能比现有技术高一个数量级，具有以下优良特性：高量子态纯度；长且可调的相干时间；高光子产生效率；能够高速操作；大光谱灵活性；出色的器件可扩展性；能够多通道并行操作；在一个集成平台上，但易于与光纤量子通信链路接口。更广泛的影响：这项研究有望开辟一条新的研究途径：量子硅光子学。它将为各种量子光子应用所需的高质量纠缠光子对的当前和未来需求提供极好的解决方案，从而显著推动量子信息科学和技术的发展。功能性创新将通过发表的论文传播给更广泛的研究社区，研究成果将被纳入PI提供的课程。这项研究将在纳米光子学、非线性光学和量子信息技术等跨学科领域培养研究生和本科生。它还将通过相关的外展计划，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.