Ring Resonator Coupling Layout for High-Purity Squeezed Light

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

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 and performance of photon pairs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing photonic circuits with carefully designed ring resonators and optimized coupling mechanisms, such as tangential-inject and near-field-coupling-out configurations, to enhance in-coupling and out-coupling efficiencies, thereby improving optical power efficiency and spectral purity of generated squeezed light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional coupling mechanisms are used in photonic circuits, then device complexity is reduced, but optical power efficiency and in-coupling/out-coupling efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical power efficiencyVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling process is segmented into two distinct mechanisms: tangential injection for high-efficiency input coupling and near-field coupling for output coupling. This segmentation allows each coupling interface to be optimized independently, achieving nearly 100% optical power efficiency while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary evanescent field coupling region between the ring resonator and waveguide, which mediates the energy transfer process. This intermediary mechanism enables high-efficiency coupling without direct physical contact, resolving the contradiction between coupling efficiency and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional ring resonator designs are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but spectral purity and quality factor deteriorate due to spurious light induction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral purityVSAvoidring resonator fabrication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ring resonator design implements local quality optimization by creating specific geometric features (tangential injection point, near-field coupling regions) at critical locations. This localized structural optimization enhances spectral purity and reduces spurious light without requiring complex fabrication processes across the entire device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using conventional end-fire coupling, the patent inverts the coupling approach by using tangential injection where the waveguide is positioned tangent to the ring resonator circumference. This inverted geometry naturally suppresses spurious light modes while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If high coupling efficiency is achieved through conventional means, then optical power efficiency improves, but spurious light induction increases reducing spectral purity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvein-coupling efficiencyVSAvoidspurious light

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful evanescent field, which can cause spurious light, into a beneficial near-field coupling mechanism. By carefully designing the near-field coupling region, the evanescent field is harnessed to achieve high out-coupling efficiency while suppressing spurious light generation, transforming a harmful effect into a useful one

Inventive Principle:

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

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

Achieves nearly 100% optical power efficiency and high spectral purity of squeezed light, enabling improved performance in quantum computing and optical communication systems.

Implementation Method 1

a first optical waveguide directly injecting photons into the ring resonator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDirect injection:

Implementation Method 2

tangential-inject and near-field-coupling-out configurations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTangential coupling:

Implementation Method 3

near-field-coupling-out configurations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-field coupling:

Implementation Method 4

optical resonators may be implemented as source for providing squeezed light. Squeezed light refers to light in which the electric field strength for some phases has a quantum uncertainty

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSqueezed light generation:

Data Source

PatentUS12517414B2Optical ring resonators

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 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 free of contact with the circumference of the ring resonator. The first optical waveguide is configured to receive photons. The second optical waveguide is configured to output photons coupled from the ring resonator.