Integrated Nonlinear Photonics for Novel Efficient Heralded Single-photon Source

"This is a PhD research project in Physics.
Advances in fabrication technologies can now enable efficient nonlinear processes in optical microstructres with very low pump powers. Our aim is to explore this rapidly-evolving research area in developing new photonic devices. In the proposed project, we aim to advance the field of integrated quantum photonics with a novel on-chip heralded single-photon source that is just composed of a laser and a single waveguide. The generation of the photon-pairs and the heralding process will occur sequentially inside the nonlinear waveguide without the need of having a separate photon-splitter and a photodetector. The multifunction feature of the proposed waveguide is based on exploiting nonlinear interactions in optoelectronic semiconductor materials with strong intrinsic second- and third-order nonlinearities. The design of the device is aimed to emit single photons with high spectral purity in the telecom regime, while the heralding process will efficiently take place in the visible region using integrated single-photon detectors operated at, or near, room temperature. The proposed work will involve theoretical and analytical research, accompanied with extensive numerical simulations. Collaboration with other groups inside and outside the host institution is also a part of the project to demonstrate the theoretical predictions."