Generation of polarization-entangled Bell states in monolithic photonic waveguides by leveraging intrinsic crystal properties

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Vrckovnik, Trevor G., Arslan, Dennis, Eilenberger, Falk, Schmitt, Sebastian W.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Vrckovnik, Trevor G.
Arslan, Dennis
Eilenberger, Falk
Schmitt, Sebastian W.
author_facet Vrckovnik, Trevor G.
Arslan, Dennis
Eilenberger, Falk
Schmitt, Sebastian W.
contents Advanced photonic quantum technologies -- from quantum key distribution to quantum computing -- require on-chip sources of entangled photons that are both efficient and readily scalable. In this theoretical study, we demonstrate the generation of polarization-entangled Bell states in structurally simple waveguides by exploiting the intrinsic properties of nonlinear crystals. We thereby circumvent elaborate phase-matching strategies that commonly involve the spatial modulation of a waveguide's linear or nonlinear optical properties. We derive general criteria for the second-order susceptibility tensor that enable the generation of cross-polarized photon pairs via spontaneous parametric down-conversion in single-material waveguides. Based on these criteria, we systematically categorize all birefringent, non-centrosymmetric crystal classes in terms of their suitability. Using coupled mode theory, we then numerically analyze cuboid waveguides made from two materials that are highly relevant to integrated photonics: lithium niobate, a well-established platform, and barium titanate, an emerging alternative. We find that barium titanate consistently outperforms lithium niobate by providing a higher nonlinear efficiency and high concurrence over a significantly broader spectral range. These findings outline a practical route toward highly efficient, fabrication-friendly, and scalable sources of polarization-entangled photons for integrated quantum photonic circuits.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2506_21228
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Generation of polarization-entangled Bell states in monolithic photonic waveguides by leveraging intrinsic crystal properties
Vrckovnik, Trevor G.
Arslan, Dennis
Eilenberger, Falk
Schmitt, Sebastian W.
Optics
Applied Physics
Quantum Physics
Advanced photonic quantum technologies -- from quantum key distribution to quantum computing -- require on-chip sources of entangled photons that are both efficient and readily scalable. In this theoretical study, we demonstrate the generation of polarization-entangled Bell states in structurally simple waveguides by exploiting the intrinsic properties of nonlinear crystals. We thereby circumvent elaborate phase-matching strategies that commonly involve the spatial modulation of a waveguide's linear or nonlinear optical properties. We derive general criteria for the second-order susceptibility tensor that enable the generation of cross-polarized photon pairs via spontaneous parametric down-conversion in single-material waveguides. Based on these criteria, we systematically categorize all birefringent, non-centrosymmetric crystal classes in terms of their suitability. Using coupled mode theory, we then numerically analyze cuboid waveguides made from two materials that are highly relevant to integrated photonics: lithium niobate, a well-established platform, and barium titanate, an emerging alternative. We find that barium titanate consistently outperforms lithium niobate by providing a higher nonlinear efficiency and high concurrence over a significantly broader spectral range. These findings outline a practical route toward highly efficient, fabrication-friendly, and scalable sources of polarization-entangled photons for integrated quantum photonic circuits.
title Generation of polarization-entangled Bell states in monolithic photonic waveguides by leveraging intrinsic crystal properties
topic Optics
Applied Physics
Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.21228