Laser-written reconfigurable photonic integrated circuit directly coupled to a single-photon avalanche diode array

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2512.06528v1
• Date: Sat, 06 Dec 2025 18:34:09 GMT
• Title: Laser-written reconfigurable photonic integrated circuit directly coupled to a single-photon avalanche diode array
• Authors: Giulio Gualandi, Simone Atzeni, Marco Gardina, Antonino Caime, Giacomo Corrielli, Ivan Labanca, Angelo Gulinatti, Ivan Rech, Roberto Osellame, Giulia Acconcia, Francesco Ceccarelli,
• Abstract summary: Most integrated quantum photonics experiments rely on single-photon detectors operating at cryogenic temperatures coupled to photonic integrated circuits (PICs) through single-mode optical fibers.<n>This work reports on the direct coupling of a PIC, fabricated by femtosecond laser writing (FLW), and a silicon single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array, fabricated in a custom planar technology and compatible with the operation at room temperature.<n>The effectiveness of this solution is shown by achieving perfect coupling and a system detection efficiency as high as 41.0% at a wavelength of 561 nm, which is the highest value reported to date among both
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: To date, most integrated quantum photonics experiments rely on single-photon detectors operating at cryogenic temperatures coupled to photonic integrated circuits (PICs) through single-mode optical fibers. This approach presents significant challenges due to the detection complexity, as cryogenic conditions hinder the development of scalable systems. In addition, going towards fully-integrated devices or, at least, removing the optical fibers would be also advantageous to develop compact and cost-efficient solutions featuring a high number of optical modes. This work reports on the direct coupling of a PIC, fabricated by femtosecond laser writing (FLW), and a silicon single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array, fabricated in a custom planar technology and compatible with the operation at room temperature. The effectiveness of this solution is shown by achieving perfect coupling and a system detection efficiency as high as 41.0% at a wavelength of 561 nm, which is the highest value reported to date among both heterogeneous/hybrid integrated and directly coupled systems. We also show the robustness of the coupling to misalignments, demonstrating that costly alignment procedures are not needed. Finally, we exploit the SPAD array to characterize a reconfigurable Mach-Zehnder interferometer, i.e., the basic building block of multimode reconfigurable PICs. This solution provides a new avenue to the design and implementation of quantum photonics experiments, especially effective when compact and cost-efficient systems are needed.

Related papers

• Integrated polarization-entangled photon source for wavelength-multiplexed quantum networks [49.82426139329382]
  We present a simple yet high-performance on-chip polarization-entangled photon-pair source on thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN)<n>Our device employs dual quasi-phase matching (D-QPM) that sequentially supports type-0 and type-I spontaneous parametric down-conversion in a single nanophotonic waveguide.<n>We realize wavelength-multiplexed entanglement distribution in a four-user quantum network deployed over metropolitan fiber links up to 50 km.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-11-27T18:30:01Z)
• Single-photon detectors on arbitrary photonic substrates [2.143182930148198]
  Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) are the leading detector technology for fiber and integrated photonic applications. Here, we introduce a method based on transfer printing that overcomes these constraints and allows for the integration of SNSPDs onto arbitrary photonic substrates.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-09-12T21:58:05Z)
• All-optical modulation with single-photons using electron avalanche [66.27103948750306]
  We demonstrate all-optical modulation enabled by electron avalanche process in silicon.<n>Our approach opens the possibility of gigahertz-speed, and potentially even faster, optical switching at the single-photon level.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-12-18T20:14:15Z)
• Tunable quantum emitters on large-scale foundry silicon photonics [0.6165122427320179]
  Integration of atomic quantum systems with single-emitter tunability remains an open challenge. Here, we overcome this barrier through the hybrid integration of multiple InAs/InP microchiplets containing high-brightness infrared semiconductor quantum dot single photon emitters. We achieve single photon emission via resonance fluorescence and scalable emission wavelength tunability through an electrically controlled non-volatile memory.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-06-10T15:04:30Z)
• High-dimensional quantum correlation measurements with an adaptively gated hybrid single-photon camera [58.720142291102135]
  We propose an adaptively-gated hybrid intensified camera (HIC) that combines a high spatial resolution sensor and a high temporal resolution detector. With a spatial resolution of nearly 9 megapixels and nanosecond temporal resolution, this system allows for the realization of previously infeasible quantum optics experiments.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-05-25T16:59:27Z)
• On-chip single-photon subtraction by individual silicon vacancy centers in a laser-written diamond waveguide [48.7576911714538]
  Laser-written diamond photonics offers three-dimensional fabrication capabilities and large mode-field diameters matched to fiber optic technology. To realize large cooperativities, we combine excitation of single shallow-implanted silicon vacancy centers via large numerical aperture optics. We demonstrate single-emitter extinction measurements with a cooperativity of 0.153 and a beta factor of 13% yielding 15.3% as lower bound for the quantum efficiency of a single emitter.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-11-02T16:01:15Z)
• Single-photon detection and cryogenic reconfigurability in Lithium Niobate nanophotonic circuits [0.13854111346209866]
  Lithium-Niobate-On-Insulator (LNOI) is emerging as a promising platform for integrated quantum photonic technologies. Our results provide blueprints for implementing complex quantum photonic devices on the LNOI platform.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-03-19T18:13:52Z)
• Rapid characterisation of linear-optical networks via PhaseLift [51.03305009278831]
  Integrated photonics offers great phase-stability and can rely on the large scale manufacturability provided by the semiconductor industry. New devices, based on such optical circuits, hold the promise of faster and energy-efficient computations in machine learning applications. We present a novel technique to reconstruct the transfer matrix of linear optical networks.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-10-01T16:04:22Z)
• Inverse-designed photon extractors for optically addressable defect qubits [48.7576911714538]
  Inverse-design optimization of photonic devices enables unprecedented flexibility in tailoring critical parameters of a spin-photon interface. Inverse-designed devices will enable realization of scalable arrays of single-photon emitters, rapid characterization of new quantum emitters, sensing and efficient heralded entanglement schemes.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-07-24T04:30:14Z)
• Reconfigurable quantum photonics with on-chip detectors [0.0]
  We show low-power microelectromechanical reconfiguration of integrated photonic circuits interfaced with superconducting single-photon detectors on the same chip. Our platform enables heat-load free reconfigurable linear optics and adaptive control, critical for quantum state preparation and quantum logic.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-07-13T15:11:34Z)
• 3D printed micro-optics for quantum technology: Optimized coupling of single quantum dot emission into a single mode fiber [0.0]
  Future quantum technology relies crucially on building quantum networks with high fidelity. To achieve this goal, it is of utmost importance to connect single quantum systems in a way such that their emitted single-photons overlap with the highest possible degree of coherence. Here we present an advanced manufacturing approach to accomplish this task: we combine 3D printed complex micro-optics such as hemispherical and Weierstrass solid immersion lenses.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-07-13T13:29:55Z)
• Thermal phase shifters for femtosecond laser written photonic integrated circuits [58.720142291102135]
  Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are acknowledged as an effective solution to fulfill the demanding requirements of many practical applications in both classical and quantum optics. Phase shifters integrated in the photonic circuit offer the possibility to dynamically reconfigure its properties in order to fine tune its operation or to produce adaptive circuits. We show how thermal shifters to reconfigure photonic circuits can be solved by a careful design of the thermal shifters and by choosing the most appropriate way to drive them.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-04-23T20:09:56Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.