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Semi-automatic engineering and tailoring of high-efficiency Bragg-reflection waveguide samples for quantum photonic applications

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QST_accepted_manuscript.pdf (2.334Mb)
Date
25/01/2018
Author
Pressl, B
Laiho, K
Chen, H
Gunthner, T
Schlager, A
Auchter, S
Suchomel, H
Kamp, M
Höfling, Sven
Schneider, C.
Weihs, G.
Keywords
Bragg-reflection waveguide
Parametric down-conversion
Phasematching
Optimization
Group refractive index
QC Physics
NDAS
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Abstract
Semiconductor alloys of aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) exhibit strong second-order optical nonlinearities. This makes them prime candidates for the integration of devices for classical nonlinear optical frequency conversion or photon-pair production, for example, through the parametric down-conversion (PDC) process. Within this material system, Bragg-reflection waveguides (BRW) are a promising platform, but the specifics of the fabrication process and the peculiar optical properties of the alloys require careful engineering. Previously, BRW samples have been mostly derived analytically from design equations using a fixed set of aluminum concentrations. This approach limits the variety and flexibility of the device design. Here, we present a comprehensive guide to the design and analysis of advanced BRW samples and show how to automatize these tasks. Then, nonlinear optimization techniques are employed to tailor the BRW epitaxial structure towards a specific design goal. As a demonstration of our approach, we search for the optimal effective nonlinearity and mode overlap which indicate an improved conversion efficiency or PDC pair production rate. However, the methodology itself is much more versatile as any parameter related to the optical properties of the waveguide, for example the phasematching wavelength or modal dispersion, may be incorporated as design goals. Further, we use the developed tools to gain a reliable insight in the fabrication tolerances and challenges of real-world sample imperfections. One such example is the common thickness gradient along the wafer, which strongly influences the photon-pair rate and spectral properties of the PDC process. Detailed models and a better understanding of the optical properties of a realistic BRW structure are not only useful for investigating current samples, but also provide important feedback for the design and fabrication of potential future turn-key devices. This approach limits the variety and exibility of the device design. Here, we present a comprehensive guide to the design and analysis of advanced BRW samples and show how to automatize these tasks. Then, nonlinear optimization techniques are employed to tailor the BRW epitaxial structure towards a specific design goal. As a demonstration of our approach, we search for the optimal effective nonlinearity and mode overlap which indicate an improved conversion effciency or PDC pair production rate. However, the methodology itself is much more versatile as any parameter related to the optical properties of the waveguide, for example the phasematching wavelength or modal dispersion, may be incorporated as design goals. Further, we use the developed tools to gain a reliable insight in the fabrication tolerances and challenges of real-world sample imperfections. One such example is the common thickness gradient along the wafer, which strongly influences the photon-pair rate and spectral properties of the PDC process. Detailed models and a better understanding of the optical properties of a realistic BRW structure are not only useful for investigating current samples, but also provide important feedback for the design and fabrication of potential future turn-key devices.
Citation
Pressl , B , Laiho , K , Chen , H , Gunthner , T , Schlager , A , Auchter , S , Suchomel , H , Kamp , M , Höfling , S , Schneider , C & Weihs , G 2018 , ' Semi-automatic engineering and tailoring of high-efficiency Bragg-reflection waveguide samples for quantum photonic applications ' , Quantum Science and Technology , vol. 3 , no. 2 , 024002 . https://doi.org/10.1088/2058-9565/aaa2a2
Publication
Quantum Science and Technology
Status
Peer reviewed
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1088/2058-9565/aaa2a2
ISSN
2058-9565
Type
Journal article
Rights
© 2017 IOP Publishing Ltd This Accepted Manuscript is available for reuse under a CC BY 3.0 licence immediately. Everyone is permitted to use all or part of the original content in this article, provided that they adhere to all the terms of the licence https://creativecommons.org/licences/by/3.0
Description
Austrian Science Fund (FWF) (I-2065, J-4125); German Research Foundation (DFG) (SCHN1376/2-1); European Research Council (ERC) (EnSeNa 257531); State of Bavaria; China Scholarship Council (201503170272)
Collections
  • University of St Andrews Research
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/12372

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