US 11,855,414 B2
Light source adapted to emit pairs of polarization-entangled photons
Jean-Michel Gerard, Grenoble (FR); Yoann Cure, Grenoble (FR); and Julien Claudon, Grenoble (FR)
Assigned to COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, Paris (FR)
Filed by COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, Paris (FR)
Filed on Dec. 22, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/130,205.
Claims priority of application No. 19 15514 (FR), filed on Dec. 23, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0194213 A1, Jun. 24, 2021
Int. Cl. H01S 5/34 (2006.01); H01S 5/11 (2021.01); H01S 5/30 (2006.01); H04B 10/70 (2013.01); H01L 33/20 (2010.01); H01L 33/18 (2010.01); B82Y 10/00 (2011.01); H01L 33/44 (2010.01); H01L 33/06 (2010.01); B82Y 20/00 (2011.01)
CPC H01S 5/3412 (2013.01) [H01L 33/18 (2013.01); H01L 33/20 (2013.01); H01S 5/11 (2021.01); H01S 5/3054 (2013.01); H04B 10/70 (2013.01); B82Y 10/00 (2013.01); B82Y 20/00 (2013.01); H01L 33/06 (2013.01); H01L 33/44 (2013.01); H01L 2933/005 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A light source configured to emit a pair of polarization-entangled photons, comprising:
a substrate, comprising a reflective layer;
a photonic wire, comprising a core having a refractive index nc and:
being arranged on the substrate, facing the reflective layer, and extending longitudinally along a principal axis Δ substantially orthogonal to the plane of the substrate;
comprising an emitter configured to emit a pair of photons which are intended to be entangled in polarization;
having transverse dimensions, in a plane parallel to the substrate and containing the emitter, such that the core forms a single-mode waveguide for the emitted photons, a guided optical mode being degenerate in polarization;
these transverse dimensions varying longitudinally in the direction of an upper end of the core so as to form a mode adapter for the guided optical mode;
an optical excitation device configured to excite the emitter and thus cause spontaneous emission of at least one pair of photons by the emitter;
the photonic wire furthermore comprising a cladding:
having a refractive index ng less than nc;
extending in a plane parallel to the substrate, starting from the core, and having a maximum dimension with respect to the principal axis Δ defining a principal transverse axis Atg such that it has an asymmetry of revolution about the principal axis Δ;
a correction device configured to induce by electrostatic effect a mechanical deformation of the photonic wire in a plane parallel to the substrate, along a deformation axis Ad forming an angle of inclination of between 0° and 90°, these values being exclusive, with respect to the principal transverse axis Atg, the mechanical deformation leading to mechanical strains experienced by the emitter, thus improving the degree of entanglement of the photon pair.