Graphene Microwave Squeezer for Low-Voltage Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for microwave-to-optical conversion in quantum photonics and microwave systems require large microwave voltages and high Q-factor resonators, limiting the process's tunability and efficiency, and there is no effective method for achieving microwave squeezing over a wide bandwidth at moderate cryogenic temperatures using voltages less than millivolts.
Innovation Solution
The use of a multilayer graphene structure as a tunable modulator, where graphene layers are electronically connected and pumped by an optical field, allowing for the suppression of the lower sideband through destruction resonance, enabling efficient microwave-to-optical conversion with low driving voltages and wide frequency tunability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electro-optic techniques are used for microwave-to-optical conversion, then wide operation bandwidth and tunability are achieved, but large microwave voltages (millivolts) are required and noise is generated during conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using graphene's unique optical properties and destroying resonance conditions to enable conversion at much lower voltages (microvolt range) while maintaining wide bandwidth operation. The graphene medium's nonlinear optical response allows for efficient conversion without requiring the large millivolt levels needed in conventional EO techniques.
2Productivity
If high Q-factor resonators are used to enhance electro-optic conversion, then conversion efficiency is improved, but the tunability and scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical resonance approach (high Q-factor resonators) with a graphene-based nonlinear optical medium approach. This substitution enables efficient conversion through graphene's unique optical properties and destruction resonance, while maintaining wide tunability and scalability that are lost in conventional resonator-based systems.
3Productivity
If conventional techniques are used for microwave squeezing, then conversion can be achieved, but only at narrow bandwidth and requiring high voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves wideband microwave squeezing (up to 24 dB gain) by changing the operating parameters through graphene's nonlinear optical response. The destruction resonance condition in graphene enables squeezing over a wide frequency range without requiring the high voltages needed for narrowband conventional techniques.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach achieves efficient microwave-to-optical conversion with low driving voltages (1-10 microvolts), reasonable optical pumping, and a wide frequency bandwidth, while also enabling wideband, tunable microwave squeezing with significant gains (up to 24 dB) over a wide frequency range at moderate cryogenic temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
EO techniques provide for wide operation bandwidths which are tunable and scalable. This allows the EO technique to modulate an optical input pump by a driving microwave signal which also generates an upper and lower sideband.
Implementation Method 2
the lower sideband creates noise upon the conversion process as the conversion of a pump photon into a lower side band photon may generate a microwave photon. To minimize noise, a single sideband (SSB) scheme is implemented.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphene structure includes one or more graphene layers. The graphene layers allow for microwave squeezing with gains up to 24 dB over a wide bandwidth.