Case study | PPLN driven broadband quantum synthesizer: a key breakthrough in achieving ultrafast compressed optical pulse sources

Quantum technology is an important component of the industrial strategies of the UK and Canada, with the potential to change the digital world, expand the capabilities of current imaging devices, and use quantum computing to solve complex computational problems to promote new drug development. The Broadband Quantum Synthesizer (BQS) is one of them, aiming to advance the forefront of ultrafast quantum optics. Its goal is to develop the first ultra wideband compressed optical pulse packaging source, which is a crucial tool for the next generation of sensing, communication, and imaging quantum technologies.

core objective

The core of the BQS plan is developmentCompressed light pulses with a duration of less than 100fsIdeally, below 40fs, achieve quantum noise reduction of>3dB. These "compressed" light states are entangled light fields, with sensitivity and information capacity surpassing classical light. They form the foundation of quantum metrology, enabling measurement accuracy in spectroscopy, microscopy, and imaging, and are crucial for quantum communication and computing systems.

Although using continuous light or long pulses can generate higher compression (>15dB), there is currently no practical solution to produce broadband, highly compressed light at ultrafast time scales. This is a major limitation for quantum applications, especially in the field of biological imaging where biological events often occur on femtosecond timescales. The BQS project aims to fill this gap with a compact and reliable light source.

Squeezed LightIt is a special type of quantum state light field that, throughNonlinear processGenerated. The quantum noise of a specific orthogonal component (such as amplitude or phase) of the light field is compressed to below the standard quantum limit. This redistribution of noise breaks through the limitations of classical measurement accuracy, and therefore has important applications in fields such as ultra precision measurement, quantum interferometers, quantum sensing, and quantum information processing.

BQS Innovation Architecture

The BQS system will revolve around a system calledFourier plane nonlinear opticsConstructing innovative methods. This technology has been approved and awarded to Few Cycle Inc. (US patent number 9910339), overcoming the long-standing obstacle to the development of ultrafast compressed light generation technology - the trade-off between gain and bandwidth. In this system, ultra wideband pulses undergo spectral decomposition on the Fourier plane of the pulse shaper. Each narrowband spectral slice is individually amplified in spatially multiplexed nonlinear crystals,Specifically, it is the periodically polarized lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal developed by Covesion.These slices are then recombined to produce a short, highly compressed pulse that covers a wide bandwidth (with a target of>100nm and up to 300nm in future prototypes), which is what the name meanssynthesizerThe manifestation. Covesion has contributed advanced technology in customizing PPLN crystals, which have spatially varying polarization periods and can achieve critical phase matching on Fourier surfaces.

This architecture allows for independent manipulation of phase matching for each frequency component, bypassing the limitations of traditional parametric amplification techniques such as OPA. It can generate compressed pulses with a duration of less than 100fs and is expected to reach 40fs.

Application prospects

The successful development of BQS system will provide a key building block for continuous variable quantum optics. In this field, macroscopic entanglement between billions of photons can achieve the most sensitive measurements known today. Its applications include:

• Quantum enhanced nonlinear microscopy can more accurately detect weak biological signals.

• Secure communication is achieved by embedding compressed light into a quantum key distribution system.

• Quantum computing, especially in architectures that utilize continuous variable states.

• Quantum spectroscopy provides access to ultrafast molecular dynamics with a resolution that was previously unattainable.

The system will also be validated for use in quantum attosecond spectroscopy, a newly emerging field that requires high precisionCompressed pulses with time and spectral accuracy.

The BQS platform will have three main commercial outputs:

• An independent quantum synthesizer used for research and industrial laboratories.

• The next generation optical parametric amplifier for microscopes and material processing.

• Expand Covesion's Quan Ball QT supply chain product line with sub components such as fan-shaped periodic PPLN crystals.

Covesion fan-shaped periodic PPLN crystal

Covesion has now launched MgO: PPLN crystals with fan out grating structure. This structure can achieve a wide range of wavelength tuning with phase matching by laterally moving the crystal while maintaining a constant crystal temperature.

Especially suitable for:

Optical parametric oscillator (OPO):Optimization was carried out for achieving wide tunable mid infrared output with 1064 nm pump light.

Differential Frequency Generation (DFG):It has flexible phase matching characteristics within a wide tuning range, making it very suitable for differential frequency systems targeting mid infrared output.

The available standards are as follows. Covesion provides professional customized design and manufacturing services. If you have more needs, please feel free to contact us at any time. Haoliang Optoelectronics is more than happy to communicate with you and explore together how to meet your needs.

Covesion Limited is a company with over 20 years of experience, specializing in the research, development, and manufacturing of MgO: PPLN (magnesium oxide doped periodically polarized lithium niobate) crystals and waveguides for efficient nonlinear frequency conversion. We offer a wide range of products, including PPLN bulk crystals, PPLN waveguides, and PPLN accessories. In addition, customized PPLN services are also provided, utilizing its polarization technology to provide extensive technical support for unique PPLN crystal design and manufacturing, including full cycle structure design, mask design, crystal polarization, sectioning, polishing, and coating anti reflection to meet specific wavelength conversion needs.

Shanghai Haoliang Optoelectronic Equipment Co., Ltd., as the sole agent of Covision in China, is responsible for the sales, service, and after-sales technical support of all its products in China.

Regarding Haoliang Optoelectronics:

Shanghai Haoliang Optoelectronic Equipment Co., Ltd. is a professional agent for optoelectronic products, including various types of lasers, optoelectronic modulators, optical measurement equipment, optical components, etc., covering applications such as material processing, optical communication, biomedicine, scientific research, national defense, quantum optics, biological microscopy, IoT sensing, laser manufacturing, etc; We can provide customers with complete equipment installation, training, hardware development, software development, system integration and other services.