Quantum Circuit Diamond Waveguides for Bidirectional Light Confinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming optical waveguides in diamond layers with color centers result in significant optical signal loss due to inadequate optical confinement in multiple directions.
Innovation Solution
The formation of optical waveguides is enhanced by creating altered regions with lower refractive indices around the color centers using femtosecond laser light, including grooves and reflective films to concentrate laser light in specific directions, forming altered regions that surround the color centers and provide effective optical confinement in both directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional methods are used to form optical waveguides in diamond layers, then the waveguide structure is formed, but significant optical signal loss occurs due to inadequate optical confinement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating altered regions with modified refractive indices at specific locations around the color center. The femtosecond laser writing process selectively modifies the diamond layer to form a core region with lower refractive index adjacent to the color center, while maintaining the original diamond structure elsewhere. This localized refractive index modification enables effective optical confinement in the core region, reducing optical signal loss while preserving the overall waveguide structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by altering the refractive index of the diamond layer through femtosecond laser writing. The laser process creates regions with different refractive indices (core region with lower index, cladding region with higher index) by modifying the physical and chemical properties of the diamond material. This parameter change enables the formation of an optical waveguide with proper confinement characteristics, solving the optical signal loss problem.
2Reliability
If femtosecond laser light is concentrated onto the diamond layer to form altered regions, then optical confinement is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first forming a groove structure in the diamond layer before writing the optical waveguide using femtosecond laser. The groove is created at a predetermined position and orientation, establishing a template that guides subsequent laser writing. This preliminary structural preparation simplifies the overall manufacturing process by pre-defining the waveguide path and reducing the complexity of direct laser writing in bulk diamond material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the groove structure as an intermediary element between the diamond substrate and the final optical waveguide. The groove serves as a pre-formed channel that facilitates the laser writing process and provides structural guidance. This intermediary structure reduces the direct interaction complexity between the laser and bulk diamond, making the manufacturing process more controllable and less complex.
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 method significantly reduces optical signal loss by efficiently confining light in both directions, allowing for high-efficiency coupling of light from color centers to optical waveguides.
Implementation Method 1
concentrating the femtosecond laser light reflected by the reflective film onto the side of the first principal surface of the color center
Implementation Method 2
lower the refractive index of the first part of the diamond layer
Implementation Method 3
concentrating the femtosecond laser light reflected by the reflective film onto the side of the first principal surface of the color center
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a quantum circuit, the method includes forming, in a diamond layer that includes a color center, an optical waveguide optically coupled the color center, the diamond layer having a first principal surface and a second principal surface, wherein the optical waveguide includes: a core region that includes the color center; and an optical confinement region provided around the core region, a refractive index of the optical confinement region is lower than the refractive index of the core region.