Optical Ring Resonator Coupling for Efficient Photon-Pair Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing photonic-based heralded quantum computing systems suffer from low optical power efficiency and quality factor due to inefficient coupling and high spurious light induction, compromising the spectral purity of photon pairs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing photonic circuits with carefully designed ring resonators and optical waveguides to achieve nearly 100% in-coupling and out-coupling efficiency, utilizing spontaneous four-wave mixing and parametric down-conversion processes to generate and harness photon pairs with high optical power efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional ring resonators are used in photonic circuits, then the device can be implemented with standard components, but the optical power efficiency and quality factor are low due to inefficient coupling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation with standard componentsVSAvoidoptical power efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into distinct segments: a first coupling region for input coupling and a second coupling region for output coupling. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each coupling interface, enabling high efficiency at both input and output while maintaining compatibility with standard ring resonator components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide structure serves as an intermediary element that mediates the coupling between the ring resonator and external optical components. By designing specific coupling regions within the waveguide, the patent achieves efficient energy transfer without requiring direct contact or complex interfaces, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving optical power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional ring resonators are used, then the structure is simple, but the quality factor is low due to high spurious light induction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidquality factor and spectral purity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the source of spurious light induction by carefully designing the coupling regions to minimize unwanted optical interactions. By taking out the problematic coupling mechanisms that generate spurious light, the patent maintains structural simplicity while significantly improving the quality factor and spectral purity of the photon pairs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of spurious light induction into a benefit by using the coupling regions to selectively transmit only the desired photon pairs while blocking spurious light. The coupling mechanism that could potentially generate spurious light is instead designed to exploit constructive interference for the desired signal while destructively interfering with spurious components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If inefficient coupling is used, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the optical power efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling implementationVSAvoidoptical power efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling regions are designed with dynamic control capabilities, allowing the coupling strength to be adjusted based on operational requirements. This dynamic design enables the system to achieve high optical power efficiency when needed while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard fabrication processes. The coupling regions can be optimized for different operating conditions without requiring complex manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution significantly enhances the optical power efficiency and quality factor of photonic-based quantum circuitry, enabling the generation of high-quality squeezed light for applications in quantum computing and communication.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing spontaneous four-wave mixing and parametric down-conversion processes to generate and harness photon pairs with high optical power efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpontaneous four-wave mixing:

Implementation Method 2

utilizing spontaneous four-wave mixing and parametric down-conversion processes to generate and harness photon pairs with high optical power efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParametric down-conversion:

Implementation Method 3

a first optical waveguide with an end portion merged into a circumference of the ring resonator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-field coupling:

Data Source

PatentUS20250334851A1Optical ring resonators

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

An optical device includes a ring resonator, a first optical waveguide with an end portion merged into a circumference of the ring resonator, and a second optical waveguide spaced apart from the circumference of the ring resonator. The first optical waveguide is configured to directly inject photons into the ring resonator. The second optical waveguide is configured to output photons coupled from the ring resonator. The second optical waveguide includes an arc portion that partially surrounds the ring resonator. An end point of the arc portion is also an open end of the second optical waveguide.