Researchers at NIST have developed a new nanophotonic interface that converts optical frequencies between quantum systems and telecommunications wavelengths. The interface uses silicon-based waveguides to convert near-infrared wavelengths (below 1000 nm) to the 1550 nm telecommunications band, which is optimal for fiber-optic communication.
The conversion process, called four-wave-mixing Bragg scattering, was previously demonstrated in silicon nitride waveguides. NIST researchers extended this work by increasing the conversion range to nearly 600 nm and making the process bi-directional. This allows light to be converted between 980 nm and 1550 nm and back.
The next step is to optimize the interface’s efficiency by improving waveguide geometries and incorporating resonant cavities. The NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) is a national nanotechnology user facility that enables innovation by providing rapid access to the tools needed to make and measure nanostructures. Researchers interested in accessing the techniques described here or in collaborating on their future development should contact Kartik Srinivasan.
Keywords: frequency conversion, quantum dots, nanofabricated waveguides, silicon-based platform, optical transitions
