Polarization Engineering of Entangled Photons from a Lithium Niobate Nonlinear Metasurface.

Complex polarization states of photon pairs are indispensable in various quantum technologies. Conventional methods for preparing desired two-photon polarization states are realized through bulky nonlinear crystals, which can restrict the versatility and tunability of the generated quantum states due to the fixed crystal nonlinear susceptibility. Here we present a solution using a nonlinear metasurface incorporating multiplexed silica metagratings on a lithium niobate film of 300 nm thickness. We fabricate two orthogonal metagratings on a single substrate with an identical resonant wavelength, thereby enabling the spectral indistinguishability of the emitted photons, and we demonstrate in experiments that the two-photon polarization states can be shaped by the metagrating orientation. Leveraging this essential property, we formulate a theoretical approach for generating arbitrary polarization-entangled qutrit states by combining three metagratings on a single metasurface, allowing the encoding of the desired quantum states or information. Our findings enable miniaturized optically controlled quantum devices by using ultrathin metasurfaces as polarization-entangled photon sources.

Nonlinear transition between PT-symmetric and PT-broken modes in coupled fiber lasers.

We present a systematic analysis of the stationary regimes of nonlinear parity-time (PT) symmetric laser composed of two coupled fiber cavities. We find that power-dependent nonlinear phase shifters broaden regions of existence of both PT-symmetric and PT-broken modes, and can facilitate transitions between modes of different types. We show the existence of non-stationary regimes and demonstrate an ambiguity of the transition process for some of the unstable states. We also identify the presence of higher-order stationary modes, which return to the initial state periodically after a certain number of round-trips.

Broadband on-chip polarization mode splitters in lithium niobate integrated adiabatic couplers.

We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first broadband polarization mode splitter (PMS) based on the adiabatic light passage mechanism in the lithium niobate (LiNbO3) waveguide platform. A broad bandwidth of ~140 nm spanning telecom S, C, and L bands at polarization-extinction ratios (PER) of >20 dB and >18 dB for the TE and TM polarization modes, respectively, is found in a five-waveguide adiabatic coupler scheme whose structure is optimized by an adiabaticity engineering process in titanium-diffused LiNbO3 waveguides. When the five-waveguide PMS is integrated with a three-waveguide "shortcut to adiabaticity" structure, we realize a broadband, high splitting-ratio (ηc) mode splitter for spatial separation of TE- (H-) polarized pump (700-850 nm for ηc>99%), TM- (V-) polarized signal (1510-1630 nm for ηc>97%), and TE- (H-) polarized idler (1480-1650 nm for ηc>97%) modes. Such a unique integrated-optical device is of potential for facilitating the on-chip implementation of a pump-filtered, broadband tunable entangled quantum-state generator.

Frequency comb generation in SNAP bottle resonators.

We develop a theory of optical frequency comb generation in ultra-compact surface nanoscale axial photonic (SNAP) bottle microresonators, employing the nonlinear interaction of whispering gallery modes which are confined along an optical fiber with nanoscale radius variation. We predict that a SNAP microresonator with a radius of a few micrometers can generate a frequency comb with an ultra-fine sub-gigahertz spectral spacing, which would require traditional ring resonators of centimeter radius. We identify regimes of stable or quasi-periodic comb dynamics due to soliton excitation, and show that special engineering of the SNAP radius profile can be used to compensate for nonlinearity-induced dispersion.

Atom-mediated spontaneous parametric down-conversion in periodic waveguides.

We propose the concept of atom-mediated spontaneous parametric down-conversion, in which photon-pair generation can take place only in the presence of a single two-level emitter, relying on the bandgap evanescent modes of a nonlinear periodic waveguide. Using a guided signal mode, an evanescent idler mode, and an atom-like emitter with the idler's transition frequency embedded in the structure, we find a heralded excitation mechanism, in which the detection of a signal photon outside the structure heralds the excitation of the embedded emitter. We use a rigorous Green's function quantization method to model this heralding mechanism in a 1D periodic waveguide and determine its robustness against losses.

Non-reciprocal geometric phase in nonlinear frequency conversion.

We describe analytically and numerically the geometric phase arising from nonlinear frequency conversion and show that such a phase can be made non-reciprocal by momentum-dependent photonic transition. Such non-reciprocity is immune to the shortcomings imposed by dynamic reciprocity in Kerr and Kerr-like devices. We propose a simple and practical implementation, requiring only a single waveguide and one pump, while the geometric phase is controllable by the pump and promises robustness against fabrication errors.

Two-photon tomography using on-chip quantum walks.

We present an approach to quantum tomography based on first expanding a quantum state across extra degrees of freedom and then exploiting the introduced sparsity to perform reconstruction. We formulate its application to photonic circuits and show that measured spatial photon correlations at the output of a specially tailored discrete-continuous quantum walk can enable full reconstruction of any two-photon spatially entangled and mixed state at the input. This approach does not require any tunable elements, so it is well suited for integration with on-chip superconducting photon detectors.

Nonlocal splitting of photons on a nonlinear chip.

In spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC), a pump photon spontaneously splits into signal and idler photons in media with quadratic nonlinearity. This phenomenon is the most widely utilized source of entangled photons with multiple applications in quantum information technology. SPDC on a chip is usually treated as a local process, meaning that signal and idler photons are created in the same position at which the pump photon is destroyed. We reveal that this locality condition can be violated in an array of coupled waveguides. By utilizing higher-order modes of individual waveguides, it is possible to destroy a pump photon in one waveguide and to generate signal and idler photons in other waveguides. This phenomenon of nonlocal photon-pair generation opens new opportunities for the engineering of spatial photon entanglement.

Experimental demonstration of bidirectional light transfer in adiabatic waveguide structures.

We propose and demonstrate a novel type of optical integrated structure consisting of three adiabatically coupled waveguides arranged in an N-shaped geometry. Unlike conventional adiabatic three-waveguide couplers mimicking the stimulated Raman adiabatic passage process which utilize solely the counter-intuitive coupling and, thus, operate only in one direction, our structure achieves complete bidirectional light transfer between two waveguides through the counter-intuitive and intuitive coupling in either direction over a wide wavelength range. Moreover, the light transfer through the intuitive coupling is more efficient and robust than through the counter-intuitive coupling.

Generation of Photon-Plasmon Quantum States in Nonlinear Hyperbolic Metamaterials.

We develop a general theoretical framework of integrated paired photon-plasmon generation through spontaneous wave mixing in nonlinear plasmonic and metamaterial nanostructures, rigorously accounting for material dispersion and losses in the quantum regime through the electromagnetic Green function. We identify photon-plasmon correlations in layered metal-dielectric structures with 70% internal heralding quantum efficiency and reveal a novel mechanism of broadband generation enhancement due to topological transition in hyperbolic metamaterials.

Fabrication of free-standing lithium niobate nanowaveguides down to 50 nm in width.

Nonlinear optical nanoscale waveguides are a compact and powerful platform for efficient wavelength conversion. The free-standing waveguide geometry opens a range of applications in microscopy for local delivery of light, where in situ wavelength conversion helps to overcome various wavelength-dependent issues, such as biological tissue damage. In this paper, we present an original patterning method for high-precision fabrication of free-standing nanoscale waveguides based on lithium niobate, a material with a strong second-order nonlinearity and a broad transparency window covering the visible and mid-infrared wavelength ranges. The fabrication process combines electron-beam lithography with ion-beam enhanced etching and produces nanowaveguides with lengths from 5 to 50 µm, widths from 50 to 1000 nm and heights from 50 to 500 nm, each with a precision of few nanometers. The fabricated nanowaveguides are tested in an optical characterization experiment showing efficient second-harmonic generation.

Unidirectional flow of discrete solitons in waveguide arrays.

We present a proposal for realizing a unidirectional flow of discrete solitons in optical waveguide arrays or coupled resonator optical waveguides. Our proposal is based on modulating the coupling coefficients between the waveguides by two reflectionless potentials with different depths and finite separation. For a single reflectionless potential, we demonstrate numerically the possibility of nonlinear switching with a critical nonlinearity strength at which sharp transition in the transport coefficients takes place.

Modulated coupled nanowires for ultrashort pulses.

We predict analytically and confirm with numerical simulations that intermode dispersion in nanowire waveguide arrays can be tailored through periodic waveguide bending, facilitating flexible spatiotemporal reshaping without breakup of femtosecond pulses. This approach allows simultaneous and independent control of temporal dispersion and spatial diffraction that are often strongly connected in nanophotonic structures.

Reflectionless potentials for slow whispering gallery modes in surface nanoscale axial photonic fiber resonators.

We consider an optical fiber with a nanoscale variation of the effective fiber radius that supports whispering gallery modes slowly propagating along the fiber, and reveal that the radius variation can be designed to support the reflectionless propagation of these modes. We show that reflectionless modulations can realize control of the transmission amplitude and temporal delay, while enabling close packing due to the absence of cross talk, in contrast to the conventional potentials.

Parity-time anti-symmetric parametric amplifier.

We describe the process of parametric amplification in a directional coupler of quadratically nonlinear and lossy waveguides, which belongs to a class of optical systems with spatial parity-time (PT) symmetry in the linear regime. We identify a distinct spectral PT anti-symmetry associated with optical parametric interaction, and show that pump-controlled symmetry breaking can facilitate spectrally selective mode amplification in analogy with PT lasers. We also establish a connection between the breaking of spectral and spatial mode symmetries, revealing the potential to implement unconventional regimes of spatial light switching through ultrafast control of PT breaking by pump pulses.

Chaotic oscillations of coupled nanobeam cavities with tailored optomechanical potentials.

We reveal novel features of nonlinear optomechanical interactions in coupled suspended nanocavities that are driven by two detuned laser frequencies. Such driving enables simultaneous excitation of odd and even optical supermodes, which induce gradient forces of opposite signs, and the competition between these forces enables the realization of optomechanical potentials with large barriers and narrow wells. These types of potentials were suggested for precise displacement control, or "spectral bonding," in the static regime. However we find that self-induced oscillations appear even at the deep global potential minima when the mechanical damping rate is below a certain threshold, including a new regime of chaotic switching between mechanical deformations of opposite signs.

Photon pair generation and pump filtering in nonlinear adiabatic waveguiding structures.

We propose a novel integrated scheme for generation of Bell states, which allows simultaneous spatial filtering of pump photons. It is achieved through spontaneous parametric down-conversion in the system of nonlinear adiabatically coupled waveguides. We perform detailed analytic study of photon-pair generation in coupled waveguides and reveal the optimal conditions for the generation of each particular Bell state. Furthermore, we simulate the performance of the device under realistic assumptions and show that adiabatic coupling allows us to spatially filter the pump from modal-entangled photon pairs. Finally, we demonstrate that adiabatic couplers open the possibility of maintaining the purity of generated Bell states in a relatively fabrication-fault-tolerant way.

Nonlinear coupled-mode theory for periodic plasmonic waveguides and metamaterials with loss and gain.

We derive general coupled-mode equations describing the nonlinear interaction of electromagnetic modes in periodic media with loss and gain. Our approach is rigorously based on the Lorentz reciprocity theorem, and it can be applied to a broad range of metal-dielectric photonic structures, including plasmonic waveguides and metamaterials. We verify that our general results agree with the previous analysis of particular cases, and predict novel effects on self- and cross-phase modulation in multilayer nonlinear fishnet metamaterials.

Engineering Quantum Light Sources with Flat Optics.

Quantum light sources are essential building blocks for many quantum technologies, enabling secure communication, powerful computing, and precise sensing and imaging. Recent advancements have witnessed a significant shift toward the utilization of "flat" optics with thickness at subwavelength scales for the development of quantum light sources. This approach offers notable advantages over conventional bulky counterparts, including compactness, scalability, and improved efficiency, along with added functionalities. This review focuses on the recent advances in leveraging flat optics to generate quantum light sources. Specifically, the generation of entangled photon pairs through spontaneous parametric down-conversion in nonlinear metasurfaces, and single photon emission from quantum emitters including quantum dots and color centers in 3D and 2D materials are explored. The review covers theoretical principles, fabrication techniques, and properties of these sources, with particular emphasis on the enhanced generation and engineering of quantum light sources using optical resonances supported by nanostructures. The diverse application range of these sources is discussed and the current challenges and perspectives in the field are highlighted.

Robust Classical and Quantum Polarimetry with a Single Nanostructured Metagrating.

We formulate a new conceptual approach for one-shot complete polarization state measurement with nanostructured metasurfaces applicable to classical light and multiphoton quantum states by drawing on the principles of generalized quantum measurements based on positive operator-valued measures. Accurate polarization reconstruction from a combination of photon counts or correlations from several diffraction orders is robust with respect to even strong fabrication inaccuracies, requiring only a single classical calibration of the metasurface transmission. Furthermore, this approach operates with a single metagrating without interleaving, allowing for a reduction in metasurface size while preserving high transmission efficiency and output beam quality. We theoretically obtained original metasurface designs, fabricated the metasurface from amorphous silicon nanostructures deposited on glass, and experimentally confirmed accurate polarization reconstruction of laser beams. We also anticipate robust operation under changes in environmental conditions, opening new possibilities for space-based imaging and satellite optics.