Characterization and Modification of Fiber-based Photon Pair Sources

Abstract

Non-classical light sources are a fundamental building block of quantum photonic technologies. As these photonic technologies require higher numbers of sources and more specific source properties, it becomes increasingly important to characterize and manipulate these sources effectively. This thesis consists of three main projects, all relating to non-classical sources of light. First, we present a method for the rapid measurement of the joint spectral intensity of fiber-based photon pair sources. This method extends the concept of Stimulated Emission Tomography, using a chirped, broadband seed beam to stimulate the four wave mixing interaction. The use of the broadband seed, generated through supercontinuum generation, allows for measurements on the few second timescale and requires only a single pump laser to achieve high resolution joint spectra. In the second project, we use this characterization tool to test a variety of different fiber-based photon pair sources. We use three different modification approaches (bending, squeezing, and tapering) to induce changes in the joint spectral properties of the photon pair sources. We show that each of these modifications has some impact on the joint spectra measured. The resulting joint spectra are very complex, highlighting the importance of performing measurements rather than relying on calculations alone. Lastly, we demonstrate a fast switch for the manipulation of single photons. The switch uses the optical Kerr effect to rotate the polarization state of single photons at ultrafast timescales. The implementation of this switch is experimentally straightforward, using a commercial, single mode fiber as the Kerr medium and nJ level pump powers. We operate at an 80 MHz repetition rate and measure 97% switching efficiency, picosecond level switching speed, and approximately 800:1 signal to noise ratio from the operation.