Photon Barrier Structures for Quantum Transducer Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Microwave quality factor degradation in quantum transducers due to optical photons, which hinders efficient quantum transduction, as optical photons introduce quasi-particles and increase environmental temperature, and conventional fiber-to-chip couplers have low efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating photon barrier structures around microwave resonators within a dielectric substrate, filled with materials like polysilicon or metals, to isolate microwave resonators from optical photons, thereby reducing the impact of optical photons and enhancing transduction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If optical resonators are integrated with microwave resonators in a dielectric substrate, then quantum transduction efficiency is improved, but microwave quality factor degrades due to optical photons introducing quasi-particles and increasing environmental temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantum transduction efficiencyVSAvoidmicrowave quality factor

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the dielectric substrate into distinct regions using photon barrier structures that segment the space between optical and microwave resonators. These barriers create isolated zones that prevent optical photons from reaching the microwave resonator while maintaining the integrated architecture necessary for quantum transduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces photon barrier structures as intermediary elements between the optical resonator and microwave resonator. These barriers act as mediators that block optical photons from reaching the microwave resonator, thereby protecting the microwave quality factor while allowing the integrated system to function for quantum transduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional fiber-to-chip couplers are used, then device complexity is reduced, but transduction efficiency is limited due to low coupling efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupler structure simplicityVSAvoidtransduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical fiber-to-chip couplers with an integrated optical resonator structure that couples directly to the microwave resonator through the dielectric substrate. This substitution eliminates the need for separate coupler components while achieving superior coupling efficiency through the integrated photonic architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the optical resonator, microwave resonator, and coupling mechanisms into a single integrated structure within the dielectric substrate. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate fiber-to-chip couplers while achieving high transduction efficiency through direct optical-microwave interaction within the integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If photon barrier structures are added around optical resonators, then microwave quality factor is protected from optical photon degradation, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrowave quality factorVSAvoidtransducer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements photon barrier structures in the form of thin film layers or shell-like configurations surrounding the optical resonator. These thin film barriers effectively block optical photons from reaching the microwave resonator while adding minimal structural complexity and maintaining compatibility with standard semiconductor fabrication processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Significantly mitigates microwave quality factor degradation, improving the efficiency of quantum transducers by effectively blocking or absorbing optical photons and maintaining high optical quality factors.

Implementation Method 1

a photon barrier structure at least partially surrounding an optical resonator, wherein the photon barrier structure is configured to provide isolation of the microwave resonator from optical photons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11657314B1Microwave-to-optical quantum transducers

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Techniques regarding microwave-to-optical quantum transducers are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can include an apparatus that can include a microwave resonator on a dielectric substrate and adjacent to an optical resonator, and a photon barrier structure at least partially surrounding an optical resonator, wherein the photon barrier structure is configured to provide isolation of the microwave resonator from optical photons in the dielectric substrate outside the photon barrier structure.