142 research outputs found
Superconducting single-photon detectors get hot
Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.QN/Groeblacher LabQN/Quantum NanoscienceImPhys/Esmaeil Zadeh grou
Nanowire-based integrated photonics for quantum information and quantum sensing
At the core of quantum photonic information processing and sensing, two major building pillars are single-photon emitters and single-photon detectors. In this review, we systematically summarize the working theory, material platform, fabrication process, and game-changing applications enabled by state-of-the-art quantum dots in nanowire emitters and superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. Such nanowire-based quantum hardware offers promising properties for modern quantum optics experiments. We highlight several burgeoning quantum photonics applications using nanowires and discuss development trends of integrated quantum photonics. Also, we propose quantum information processing and sensing experiments for the quantum optics community, and future interdisciplinary applications.QN/Groeblacher LabImPhys/Esmaeil Zadeh grou
Formal Abstraction of Stochastic Systems: Bringing Theory into Practice
Recent developed theories in the field of formal abstraction of stochastic systems have provided new methods for solving the safety and reach-avoid problems. These new methods have been extended to fit controlled stochastic systems, resulting in a policy that optimizes the safety and reach-avoid probabilities. The goal of this thesis is to put all these methods into practice by integrating them in one Graphical User Interface. Practical issues involving limitations on computation time and data storage are addressed. These issues have led to the creation of new theories regarding the abstraction process. This thesis puts forward innovative and efficient ways to calculate the abstraction error. This efficient implementation of the newly developed theories increases their applicability in academic research. A case study is presented to show the possibilities and validity of the developed Graphical User Interface.Delft Center for Systems and ControlMechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineerin
Determining the transfer function of a reconstructive spectrometer using measurements at two wavelengths
The transfer function is the characteristic function of the dispersive element of a reconstructive spectrometer. It maps the transmitted spatial intensity profile to the incident spectral intensity profile of an input. Typically, a widely tunable and narrowband source is required to determine the transfer function across the entire operating wavelength range, which increases the developmental cost of these reconstructive spectrometers. In this Letter, we utilize the parabolic dispersion relation of a planar one-dimensional photonic crystal cavity, which acts as the dispersive element, to determine the entire transfer function of the spectrometer using measurements made at only two wavelengths. Using this approach, we demonstrate reliable reconstruction of input spectra in simulations, even in the presence of noise. The experimentally reconstructed spectra also follow the spectra measured using a commercial spectrometer.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.ImPhys/Esmaeil Zadeh grou
Expert Judgment and Uncertainty in Sociotechnical Systems Analysis
Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.The chapter navigates the complicated landscape of incorporating expert insights within the framework of sociotechnical systems. It talks about the pivotal role of expert judgment in unravelling the complexities inherent in these systems and addresses the challenges posed by uncertainties. It also provides an overview of the multifaceted methodologies employed in integrating expert knowledge, encompassing structured expert elicitation techniques, uncertainty quantification models, and the collaborative dynamics of expert panels. Furthermore, it explores the mathematical foundations of Bayesian approaches and fuzzy logic applications, elucidating how these methodologies contribute to a probabilistic assessment and representation of uncertainties. The chapter underscores the importance of addressing challenges such as identifying sources of uncertainty, ethical considerations, and the need for continuous learning in sociotechnical systems analysis. Through a comprehensive exploration of methodologies, real-world applications, and concerns, this chapter aims to contribute to the evolving landscape of expertise in sociotechnical systems, offering insights and implications for both research and practical applications.Peer reviewe
High-Quality Amorphous Silicon Carbide for Hybrid Photonic Integration Deposited at a Low Temperature
Integrated photonic platforms have proliferated in recent years, each demonstrating its unique strengths and shortcomings. Given the processing incompatibilities of different platforms, a formidable challenge in the field of integrated photonics still remains for combining the strengths of different optical materials in one hybrid integrated platform. Silicon carbide is a material of great interest because of its high refractive index, strong second- and third-order nonlinearities, and broad transparency window in the visible and near-infrared range. However, integrating silicon carbide (SiC) has been difficult, and current approaches rely on transfer bonding techniques that are time-consuming, expensive, and lacking precision in layer thickness. Here, we demonstrate high-index amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC) films deposited at 150 °C and verify the high performance of the platform by fabricating standard photonic waveguides and ring resonators. The intrinsic quality factors of single-mode ring resonators were in the range of Qint = (4.7-5.7) × 105 corresponding to optical losses between 0.78 and 1.06 dB/cm. We then demonstrate the potential of this platform for future heterogeneous integration with ultralow-loss thin SiN and LiNbO3 platforms.ImPhys/Esmaeil Zadeh groupQN/Kavli Nanolab DelftEKL EquipmentImPhys/Pereira groupQN/Groeblacher La
The dependence of light extraction improvement on optimized surface microstructure for AlGaN-based UVC-LEDs considering TM-polarized emission
In order to improve the light extraction of AlGaN-based short wavelength ultraviolet light emitting diodes (DUC-LEDs), a type of microstructure with high aspect ratio is introduced and optimized on the AlN substrate surface. And, particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used to inverse design of the surface microstructure to maximize the light extraction efficiency (LEE). Considering that the propagation characteristics of TM-polarized light are different from that of TE-polarized light, the optical field distribution and LEE is analyzed for the UVC-LEDs with different TE-polarized component when the optimized surface microstructure is applied. Furthermore, the preparation process tolerance of the high aspect ratio structure is discussed by calculating the LED's LEE when the structural deviation occurs or morphology changes. Simulation results show that, by using the optimized surface microstructure based on parabola cone array, the LEDs' LEE is increased from 4.4% to 8.7% and from 0.4% to 3.7% for TE-polarized and TM-polarized emission, respectively. In addition, it is demonstrated that the light extraction improvement by the surface microstructure has a good tolerance to the structural deviation and morphology. The results are significant for improving light extraction and realizing high efficient short wavelength AlGaN-based UVC-LEDs by designing surface microstructures.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.ImPhys/Esmaeil Zadeh grou
Automatic detection efficiency measurements of Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are characterized by their quantum limited ability to accurately detect single photons, with low jitter, high detection efficiency and low dark count rate. To achieve this, the detector is cooled to 2-3K, bringing the device in a superconductive state, and is then biased with a direct current (DC) close to its critical current. When a photon impinges the detector, the depairing of Cooper-pairs by the photon leads to local destruction of the superconductivity. The growth of this non-superconducting area, first across and then along the nanowire, leads to the development of a measurable resistance and hence the production of detection pulses. Increasing system detection efficiency (SDE) of detectors has been a long-term goal in the community. Recently ultrahigh efficiency detectors (SDE>98%) have been demonstrated. It has also been shown that the wavelengths dependence of SDE, typically defined by a quarter wavelength cavity, is modulated by fiber-detector airgap (Fabry–Pérot). Measuring such modulations and finding the optimal operation wavelength manually is a time consuming and tedious process. In this thesis a setup for automatic measurement of SDE versus wavelength was developed and benchmarked. For the tested detector, efficiencies were found ranging between 22% and 95% in the wavelengths range between 1260nm and 1650nm. For the optical circuit using Single Mode (SM) fibers only, the automated SDE measurements were unreliable due to shifts in polarisation during measurements. Using PM fibers led to efficiencies very similar to the values measured manually.Applied Physic
Characterisation of multi-pixel superconducting nanowire single photon detectors
Single-photon detection is extremely important for a number of different applications such as quantum cryptography, CMOS testing and even biomedical research. Most of the applications of single-photon detector require high efficiency combined with high time resolution, high count rates and low dark counts. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors has emerged provides this combination unlike any other available single-photon detectors. Some of the applications of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPD's) require larger area SNSPD's without affecting it's performance. For this purpose, multi-pixel SNSPD's would provide a solution. To this end, prototype 4- and 16-pixel detectors have been characterised in terms of a number of performance parameters such as critical current, count rate behaviour and timing jitter. Aside from this, simulations have been performed on detection statistics and relative illumination of the individual pixels of a multi-pixel SNSPD. Results show that for 4-pixel detectors, all desired aspects have been achieved, but not yet combined in one detector. The 16-pixel detectors showed excellent critical currents and count rate behaviour but, most likely due to the fact that they were prototype chips with little to no protection, had several not functioning pixels
Integrated Quantum Photonics: from modular to monolithic integration
In the past decades quantum optics has been at the forefront of quantum innovative technologies. For practical applications, scalable platforms for implementation of quantum optical circuits are vital. This thesis presents two new platforms for scalable implementation of quantum optical circuits, namely, modular approach and monolithic integration. Here, we take the first steps towards the integration of three main elements of every quantum optics circuits: Single-photon emitters, single-photon detectors, and quantum logics. Until now, most quantum optical circuits used separate platforms for single-photon generation and detection. The main challenge in the integration of these technologies, which have different requirements, has slowed down the research in the field. Here, we integrate sources and detectors by first fabricating the devices on their own platform and then transferring and combining them together. Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of silicon nitride followed by etching optical waveguides connect these elements. Removing the Poissonian optical excitation field from the quantum circuit is necessary for integration. Classical optical excitation can be avoided if the sources are electrically pumped. However, fabrication of high-quality electrically pumped sources, suitable for integration, has been limited. The experiments described in chapter 4 are our first step towards addressing the mentioned problem. Defect-free nanowires are grown on <100> direction and their optoelectronic performance are characterized. Nanowire quantum dots, thanks to their waveguiding, purity, coherence and their potentials for deterministic integration with other optical circuits, are promising single-photon sources for on-chip quantum optics. However, precise control of the emission energy of the quantum dots by growth has not become possible yet. Chapter 5 describes a method for on-chip tuning of emission energy of nanowire quantum dots using strain fields. We show the emission energy of independent nanowire quantum dots can be brought into degeneracy without affecting their single-photon emission properties. The quantum optical components have to be routed and connected together to form functional circuits. On a chip, this is usually carried out using optical waveguides. Moreover, manipulation of single photons has to be done in a scalable fashion. Again optical waveguides and ring resonators are very good candidates for this task. Therefore, understanding the behavior of these circuits such as their losses, polarization dependence, and temperature behavior is important. The experiment described in chapter 6 studies the behavior of plasma enhanced silicon nitride waveguides in cryogenic temperatures. We concluded in this chapter that due to weak thermo-optic sensitivity of silicon nitride at cryogenic temperatures, the available thermal budget on the system should be carefully considered. An important step in achieving a scalable platform for quantum optical circuits is deterministic and efficient integration of single-photon sources. In chapter 7, we demonstrate successful integration of III-V nanowire quantum dots with silicon nitride waveguides. The nanowires are deterministically selected and transferred from the original growth chip to the new substrate where they are integrated with low-loss silicon nitride waveguides. Our measurements show that the integrated sources preserve their high quality emission properties. In chapter 8, we describe an alternative approach: amodular method for scalable quantum optics. The proposed technique is based on coupling the single-photon from sources into optical fibers where the photons can be processed and then fed into the single-photon detectors. This approach has high flexibility and is easier to implement but as described in the chapter, at the moment, losses in the interfaces between optical fibers and single-photon sources are a major limiting factor. We conclude the thesis with some possible future directions and exciting new results on integration of single-photon detectors with sources and waveguides. Finally, primary results on on-chip single-photon filtering and removal of the optical excitation field are demonstrated.Casimir PhD series, Delft-Leiden 2016-27QN/Quantum Nanoscienc
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