Abstract

Integrated sources of single and entangled photons are currently one of the main topics in the field of integrated quantum optics [1]. Sources at telecom wavelength and compatible with the electronic integrate circuit technology (CMOS) are particularly interesting for their compatibility with the existing fiber network and industrial fabrication processes [2]. As for classical communication, wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM, i.e. the possibility of simultaneously transmitting on the same channel different signals each encoded in a different frequency) could in principle be exploited also for quantum communication for increasing the transmission bit-rate. However, to date only few approaches have been proposed for generating wavelength multiplexing photon pairs in integrated platforms [3,4]. Moreover, until now no integrated photon source managed to achieve at the same time practical requirements such as narrow linewidths (required for quantum memories), compatibility with CMOS technology, multichannel emission, and stable long-term operation [5]. This is due to the fact that narrow linewidths are typically achieved with structures fundamentally incompatible with large-scale integration, while CMOS-compatible devices fail to achieve the high Q-factor required for exhibiting narrow linewidths.

© 2015 IEEE