Bragg reflection waveguide as a source of wavelength-multiplexed polarization-entangled photon pairs.

We put forward a new highly efficient source of paired photons entangled in polarization with an ultra-large bandwidth. The photons are generated by means of a conveniently designed spontaneous parametric down-conversion process in a semiconductor type-II Bragg reflection waveguide. The proposed scheme aims at being a key element of an integrated source of polarization-entangled photon pairs highly suitable for its use in a multi-user quantum-key-distribution system.

Generation of paired photons in a quantum separable state in Bragg reflection waveguides.

This work proposes and analyses a novel approach for the generation of separable (quantum uncorrelated) photon pairs based on spontaneous parametric down-conversion in Bragg reflection waveguides composed of semiconductor AlGaN layers. This platform allows the removal of any spectral correlation between paired photons that propagate in different spatial modes. The photons can be designed to show equal or different spectra by tuning the structural parameters and hence the dispersion of the waveguide.

Flux enhancement of photons entangled in orbital angular momentum.

Entangled photons are generally collected by detection systems that select their certain spatial modes, for example using single-mode optical fibers. We derive simple and easy-to-use expressions that allow us to maximize the coupling efficiency of entangled photons with specific orbital angular momentum (OAM) correlations generated by means of spontaneous parametric downconversion. Two different configurations are considered: one in which the beams with OAM are generated by conversion from beams without OAM, and the second when beams with OAM are generated directly from the nonlinear medium. Also, an example of how to generate a maximally entangled qutrit is presented.

Bandwidth control of paired photons generated in monolithic Bragg reflection waveguides.

Bragg reflection waveguides are considered as monolithic sources of frequency correlated photon pairs generated using spontaneous-parametric down-conversion in a AlxGa1-xAs material system. The source described here offers unprecedented control over the process bandwidth, enabling bandwidth tunability between 1 nm and 450 nm while using the same wafer structure. This tuning is achieved by exploiting the powerful control over the waveguide dispersion properties afforded by the phase-matching technique used. The offered technology provides a route for realizing electrically pumped, monolithic photon pair sources on a chip with versatile characteristics.

Generation of indistinguishable and pure heralded single photons with tunable bandwidth.

We describe a new scheme to fully control the joint spectrum of paired photons generated in spontaneous parametric downconversion. We show the capability of this method to generate frequency-uncorrelated photon pairs that are pure and indistinguishable and whose bandwidth can be readily tuned. Importantly, the scheme we propose can be implemented in any nonlinear crystal and frequency band of interest.