Quantum photonics
Our processes ensure that your quantum photonic application sees the light- no matter its complexity!
From quantum photonic processors, to cryostable lasers, integrated laser-electrode ion traps, optical atomic coupling controllers, and more! The use of photonic integrated circuits in quantum photonics allows for low loss, accurate, and stable light generation and control.
Our TriPleX® silicon nitride chips have been instrumental in the breakthroughs of our industrial and academic partners. Whether interested in testing new ideas on a few photonic chips, or in full-system co-design with light simulation, photonic integrated circuit fabrication, and companion electronics, LioniX International has you covered.
Early stage quantum photonic development?For fast turnaround proof of concept trials and prototyping with standard integrated photonic components, a cost effective MPW run is the ideal solution. We give you the tools to design your own circuit, and we make it for you. |
Quantum photonic device scaling?If you want to take your device to the next level, you will want to tailor every aspect of it. From its optical functions, to its electronics, to how it is assembled and packaged. We can support you with the full range of our vertically integrated device development. |
Record-setting programmable quantum photonic processors with TriPleX® silicon nitride chips
The world’s largest quantum photonic processor integrated on TriPleX® by LioniX International.
QuiX Quantum is LioniX International’s quantum computing partner. Our silicon nitride waveguide platform enabled them to hold the record for the world’s largest programmable integrated quantum photonic processors. TriPleX® waveguides ensure 98% transformation fidelity across 20 different input/outputs, with 50-mode processors to be released soon. Our integrated thermo-optic phase tuners ensure very high coherence lengths on these devices.
Our vertically integrated offer enables our customers to have a fully integrated solution, including driver electronics, cooling, and housing. This enabled QuiX to offer its processor as turnkey solution, with ready operability right out of the box.
Narrow linewidth tunable lasers for quantum photonics
For quantum sensing, communications, system control/read-out and high precision optical applications, LioniX International develops and manufactures ultra-narrow linewidth tunable lasers in different wavelength ranges including C-band, 850nm, 780nm and 680nm. The lasers have been tested at cryogenic temperatures, with impressive results!
Integrated ion traps for scalable quantum computing
Drawing on our precision manufacturing capabilities, custom design and fabrication, and the high levels of integration achievable with photonic integrated circuits (PICs), we fabricated chip-based multi-ion traps for quantum processing rivalling the most sophisticated experiments. The versatility of the device allowed its use in atomic coupling control via standing wave interference patterns. Our microring resonators were even used to generate light with pure circular polarization!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT QUANTUM PHOTONICS
What is Quantum Photonics?
What is Quantum Photonics?
Quantum photonics broadly refers to the use of optical components to probe, control, and exploit quantum systems. Quantum technologies include many exciting applications like uncrackable encryption, gravitational sensing, and solutions to computing problems otherwise unsolvable in human time-scales.
However, engineering with quantum physics requires very precise tools and media. Photons offer an accurate and sensitive medium to prepare and maintain the quantum states required for quantum operations.
Due to the number of functions which can be built into a PIC, they make for highly scalable devices.
Photons also have a relative advantage over their alternatives of being far less affected by electromagnetic interference in their environment. Systems which use photons to conduct quantum operations are known as quantum photonic systems.
Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) have proven particularly valuable for various quantum photonic systems, from quantum computing to quantum communications and beyond. This type of chip-integrated quantum photonics will continue to play a key role in the coming quantum age, providing compact, scalable, and high-performing platforms for current and future technologies.
Why use Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for quantum photonics?
Why use Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for quantum photonics?
Experimental quantum photonic systems often rely heavily on bulk components and large optical benches. These are often too bulky, too fragile, too expensive, and unscalable for widescale adoption.
Integrated quantum photonics overcome these barriers by building miniaturized optical systems into a photonic IC – a PIC, delivering huge benefits for quantum systems. The benefits of an integrated quantum photonics include the following:
Compact quantum systems
PICs integrate optical components on a centimeter-long chip that would otherwise crowd an optical bench meters across. The high level of control over the light, coupled with various active materials which generate, alter, and detect the light, expands the range of devices possible.
High levels of function integration
With integrated light sources, detectors, and in/out couplings, PICs make it possible to build complex systems that are relatively easy to connect and control. Cryostatic control of devices, for example, is made easier by integrating optical fibers for remote device control and communication.
Reduced power consumption
In high volume or highly distributed applications like sensing and communication, management of power consumption is key. Because PICs are smaller and more highly integrated than bulk optical systems, they often consume orders of magnitude less power.
Stability and robustness
PICs are made using advanced lithography processes. These enable the fabrication of components with an alignment accuracy of tens of nanometers, while making free space drift concerns obsolete. As integrated solid-state devices, they are inherently robust, providing the mechanical and optical stability required for sensitive quantum systems.
Scalability
The methods used to manufacture large numbers of PICs on a wafer of substrate lead to huge reductions in manufacturing cost and time and are highly scalable.
How is silicon nitride useful for quantum photonics?
How is silicon nitride useful for quantum photonics?
As a quantum photonic material, silicon nitride, LioniX International’s TriPleX® silicon nitride platform has particular advantages.
Low losses
TriPleX® silicon nitride PICs (pictured) have excellent compatibility with a wide range of light sources.
In quantum photonic technology, effective performance often relies on controlling individual photons. Because of this, it is important to minimize optical losses. This is where silicon nitride waveguides excel.
TriPleX® offers a best-of-both-worlds combination of low propagation losses and low bending losses, even in tightly curved waveguides, using on-chip tailoring of mode field confinement. This makes for PICs with both low losses and denser component architectures.
Broad compatibility
The broad transparency range of TriPleX® waveguides offers further advantages for quantum applications, enabling the integration of single photon sources, which mainly exists in the visible and NIR spectrum, or for schemes including spontaneous parametric down-conversion, spontaneous four-wave mixing sources in the telecom bands.
Engineered for integration
Quantum applications present challenging integration issues relating to their extreme sensitivity to their surroundings. LioniX international’s patented waveguide geometry addresses these challenges by allowing very precise control of mode field diameter. This enables effective coupling of light to fibers, gratings, and free space interfaces, for precise control and readout of quantum PICs.
Reconfigurable PICs for quantum photonic processors
Quantum photonic processing is based on networks of switchable logic gates and requires solid state, low-loss components that can be switched or tuned. Here, we offer two types of standard actuators capable of a full phase shift: Thermo-optic actuators for very low loss actuation, and much lower power stress-optic actuators enabling MHz range actuation.
Highly qualified quantum building blocks
With twenty years of development and usage, TriPleX® silicon nitride is a mature platform. It harnesses and optimizes the benefits of silicon nitride integrated photonics. The platform supports a wide array of highly qualified building blocks, to offer you ready-made solutions to quantum systems engineering challenges. Building blocks include solutions for integration of light sources and detectors, high Q factor cavities, integrated tunable lasers, beam splitters, combiners and on-chip actuators.