Tunable Ring Resonator Array for Quantum Signal Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for controlling dispersion in optical applications, such as quantum communication systems, lack the necessary tunability, speed, and scalability to enable a large set of basis states, particularly in quantum enigma machines where phase stability and device complexity are challenging with bulk optics.

Innovation Solution

The use of photonic integrated circuits with a tunable-coupling ring resonator array, where each ring resonator is coupled to a waveguide via Mach-Zehnder interferometers, allowing for control of resonant wavelength and time delay, enabling broad tunability and scalability through multiple degrees of freedom.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If bulk optical components are used for quantum data locking, then theoretical quantum communication can be realized, but phase stability and device complexity become difficult to control at larger mode numbers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetunability for large set of basis statesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces bulk optical mechanical systems with photonic integrated circuits, where optical components are fabricated on a chip substrate. This substitution eliminates the alignment and stability issues of bulk optics while providing scalable tunability through integrated phase shifters and resonators that can be electrically controlled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs tunable phase shifters and resonator frequency control to dynamically adjust the optical path and resonance conditions. By changing parameters such as phase shifts and resonant frequencies through electrical control, the system achieves broad tunability for large basis sets without increasing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If bulk optical components are used for quantum data locking, then theoretical quantum communication can be realized, but phase stability becomes difficult to maintain at larger mode numbers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetunability for large set of basis statesVSAvoidphase stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the optical system into multiple independent resonators and phase shifters that can be individually controlled. This segmentation allows precise independent adjustment of each optical path, maintaining overall phase stability while enabling broad tunability across multiple basis states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional dispersion control techniques are used, then some dispersion control is achieved, but the techniques lack the necessary tunability, speed, and scalability for practical quantum applications

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetunabilityVSAvoidspeed and scalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical dispersion control techniques with photonic integrated circuits that use electrical control for tuning. This substitution enables faster response times and scalable operation, as electrical phase shifters can be rapidly reconfigured without mechanical movement, and the integrated architecture allows systematic expansion to larger mode numbers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides scalable and tunable dispersion control, facilitating efficient quantum communication by enabling reconfigurable dispersion in classical applications and enhancing quantum information processing, including quantum enigma machines with improved phase stability and hardware efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Each ring resonator in the plurality of ring resonators has a resonant wavelength matching a wavelength of a corresponding distinct spectral component in the plurality of distinct spectral components, such that the plurality of ring resonators delays each distinct spectral component in the plurality of distinct spectral components by a distinct time delay.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

each ring resonator is coupled to a waveguide via Mach-Zehnder interferometers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS10126506B2Apparatus and methods for locked quantum communication using photonic integrated circuits

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH

AI summary

A large-scale tunable-coupling ring array includes an input waveguide coupled to multiple ring resonators, each of which has a distinct resonant wavelength. The collective effect of these multiple ring resonators is to impart a distinct time delay to a distinct wavelength component (or frequency component) in an input signal, thereby carrying out quantum scrambling of the input signal. The scrambled signal is received by a receiver also using a large-scale tunable-coupling ring array. This receiver-end ring resonator array recovers the input signal by imparting a compensatory time delay to each wavelength component. Each ring resonator can be coupled to the input waveguide via a corresponding Mach Zehnder interferometer (MZI). The MZI includes a phase shifter on at least one of its arms to increase the tunability of the ring array.