arXiv subjects

Karsten Rottwitt

Publications and source records attributed to Karsten Rottwitt.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Observation of residual entanglement in chip-based entanglement purification

Entanglement purification is an essential component of quantum repeaters, as it can improve the fidelity of the distributed entangled states and mitigate the effects of the noisy channel. Successful purification yields entangled states with increased fidelity, whereas failed events can still retain residual entanglement that remains usable for further purification when the error rates of the two degrees of freedom (DOFs) are unbalanced. In this paper, we demonstrate a single-copy entanglement purification scheme based on hyperentanglement using silicon chips and experimentally observe the presence of residual entanglement. Leveraging the reconfigurability of integrated photonics, our scheme ensures that, under bit-flip noise acting on the two DOFs, residual entanglement suitable for further purification can always be obtained, regardless of which DOF has the higher error rate. Our results demonstrate the advantages of integrated photonics for quantum information processing and provide guidance for the optimized utilization of entanglement resources in on-chip entanglement purification and future quantum repeater systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Chip-to-chip hyperentanglement distribution and entanglement purification using silicon integrated photonics

Quantum repeaters are employed in quantum communication to overcome the long-distance transmission loss of quantum states. The quantum repeater is based on various key technologies, including quantum entanglement swapping, quantum memory, and entanglement purification. In particular, quantum purification can distil high-quality entanglement from the degraded entangled states which is propagating through noisy quantum communication channels. Although previous reports have demonstrated on-chip entanglement swapping and teleportation through the less-noisy channel, current entanglement purification experiments still rely on off-chip discrete devices, leading to limitations on scalability, stability, and controllability. In this paper, for the first time, we demonstrated chip-to-chip hyperentanglement distribution and quantum entanglement purification based on integrated silicon chips. Path-encoded high-dimensional entangled photon pairs are produced on the chip, converted to fibre-based polarization-spatial hyperentanglement by grating couplers, distributed to the receiver silicon chip, and finally purified by consuming the spatial degree of freedom. Our purification scheme by integrated photonics finished the last puzzle of on-chip quantum repeater, which will promote the realization of the quantum repeater based on integrated photonics.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

High-dimensional Path-Encoded Entanglement Distribution Between Photonic Chips Enabled by Multimode Phase Stabilisation

The reliable distribution of high-dimensional entangled quantum states, an important resource in quantum technologies, through optical fibre networks is challenging due to the need to maintain coherence across multiple modes. Here we demonstrate the distribution of four-dimensional path-encoded entangled quantum states between photonic chips, enabled by a novel multimode phase stabilisation algorithm. The algorithm utilises the reconfigurability of the integrated photonic circuits to complete one iteration of phase stabilisation in just two measurement rounds for an arbitrary number of modes, and requires no additional hardware to the quantum measurements it enables. As a result, we are able to perform complete quantum state tomography across two chips using the minimum number of local projective measurements to verify the fidelity of the distributed entangled state to be 86% (compared to 8.1% without the phase stabilisation) with an entanglement entropy of 0.995+/-0.002.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Entanglement Purification by Integrated Silicon Photonics

We demonstrate the first on-chip deterministic entanglement purification based on silicon photonics. To evaluate the purification performance, we simulate the bit-flip and phase-flip errors by reconfigurable circuits on chip. The state fidelity improves from 0.71 to 0.82 under a 20% bit-flip error. rate

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Raman effects in Quantum Frequency Conversion using Bragg Scattering

We present a quantum-mechanical model that describes fiber-based frequency conversion by four-wave-mixing Bragg scattering in the presence of Raman interactions. In the case of continuous-wave pumps we find closed-form expressions for the conversion efficiency and photon statistics, characterized by the second-order correlation function. For pulsed pumps, we derive a highly general model based on Green functions, and provide a numerical solution method using a split-step scheme. In both cases, we find that noise from spontaneous Raman scattering can pose a serious challenge to this type of frequency conversion if the pumps are less than 30 THz from the quantum fields. However, this impact can be mitigated with crosspolarized pumps and on the anti-Stokes side, through cooling of the fiber.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Efficient and robust second-harmonic generation in thin-film lithium niobate using modal phase matching

A double-ridge waveguide is designed for efficient and robust second-harmonic generation (SHG) using the thin-film lithium-niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) platform. Perfect phase matching (PhM) is achieved between the fundamental waveguide mode at 1550 nm and a higher-order mode at the second harmonic. The fabrication tolerances of the PhM condition are simulated using a finite-difference method mode solver, and conversion efficiencies as high as 3.92/W are obtained for a 1-cm long waveguide. This design allows access to the largest element of the second-order nonlinear susceptibility tensor, and represents a scalable alternative to waveguides based on periodically-poled lithium niobate (PPLN). The design has the potential for generating pairs of entangled photons in the infrared C-band by spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC).

physics.optics↗

arXiv2021

Towards fully-fledged quantum and classical communication over deployed fiber with up-conversion module

Quantum key distribution (QKD), the distribution of quantum secured keys useful for data encryption, is expected to have a crucial impact in the next decades. However, although the notable achievements accomplished in the last twenty years, many practical and serious challenges are limiting the full deployment of this novel quantum technology in the current telecommunication infrastructures. In particular, the co-propagation of quantum signals and high-speed data traffic within the same optical fiber, is not completely resolved, due to the intrinsic noise caused by the high intensity of the classical signals. As a consequence, current co-propagation schemes limit the amount of classical optical power in order to reduce the overall link noise. However, this ad-hoc solution restrains the overall range of possibilities for a large-scale QKD deployment. Here, we propose and demonstrate a new method, based on up-conversion assisted receiver, for co-propagating classical light and QKD signals. In addition, we compare the performances of this scheme with an off-the-shelf quantum receiver, equipped with a standard InGaAs detector, over different lengths of an installed fiber link. Our proposal exhibits higher tolerance for noise in comparison to the standard receiver, thus enabling the distribution of secret keys in the condition of 4 dB-higher classical power.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Path-encoded high-dimensional quantum communication over a 2 km multicore fiber

Quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols based on high-dimensional quantum states have shown the route to increase the key rate generation while benefiting of enhanced error tolerance, thus overcoming the limitations of two-dimensional QKD protocols. Nonetheless, the reliable transmission through fiber links of high-dimensional quantum states remains an open challenge that must be addressed to boost their application. Here, we demonstrate the reliable transmission over a 2 km long multicore fiber of path-encoded high-dimensional quantum states. Leveraging on a phase-locked loop system, a stable interferometric detection is guaranteed, allowing for low error rates and the generation of 6.3 Mbit/s of secret key rate.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Chip-to-chip quantum teleportation and multi-photon entanglement in silicon

Exploiting semiconductor fabrication techniques, natural carriers of quantum information such as atoms, electrons, and photons can be embedded in scalable integrated devices. Integrated optics provides a versatile platform for large-scale quantum information processing and transceiving with photons. Scaling up the integrated devices for quantum applications requires highperformance single-photon generation and photonic qubit-qubit entangling operations. However, previous demonstrations report major challenges in producing multiple bright, pure and identical single-photons, and entangling multiple photonic qubits with high fidelity. Another notable challenge is to noiselessly interface multiphoton sources and multiqubit operators in a single device. Here we demonstrate on-chip genuine multipartite entanglement and quantum teleportation in silicon, by coherently controlling an integrated network of microresonator nonlinear single-photon sources and linear-optic multiqubit entangling circuits. The microresonators are engineered to locally enhance the nonlinearity, producing multiple frequencyuncorrelated and indistinguishable single-photons, without requiring any spectral filtering. The multiqubit states are processed in a programmable linear circuit facilitating Bell-projection and fusion operation in a measurement-based manner. We benchmark key functionalities, such as intra-/inter-chip teleportation of quantum states, and generation of four-photon Greenberger-HorneZeilinger entangled states. The production, control, and transceiving of states are all achieved in micrometer-scale silicon chips, fabricated by complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor processes. Our work lays the groundwork for scalable on-chip multiphoton technologies for quantum computing and communication.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Stable transmission of high-dimensional quantum states over a 2 km multicore fiber

High-dimensional quantum states have already settled their advantages in different quantum technology applications. However, their reliable transmission in fiber links remains an open challenge that must be addressed to boost their application, e.g. in the future quantum internet. Here, we prove how path encoded high-dimensional quantum states can be reliably transmitted over a 2 km long multicore fiber, taking advantage of a phase-locked loop system guaranteeing a stable interferometric detection.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Boosting the secret key rate in a shared quantum and classical fibre communication system

During the last 20 years, the advance of communication technologies has generated multiple exciting applications. However, classical cryptography, commonly adopted to secure current communication systems, can be jeopardized by the advent of quantum computers. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a promising technology aiming to solve such a security problem. Unfortunately, current implementations of QKD systems show relatively low key rates, demand low channel noise and use ad hoc devices. In this work, we picture how to overcome the rate limitation by using a 37-core fibre to generate 2.86 Mbit/s per core that can be space multiplexed into the highest secret key rate of 105.7 Mbit/s to date. We also demonstrate, with off-the-shelf equipment, the robustness of the system by co-propagating a classical signal at 370 Gbit/s, paving the way for a shared quantum and classical communication network.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Complete evolution equation for the joint amplitude in photon-pair generation

As four-wave-mixing-based photon-pair sources mature, accurate modelling of the photon-pair properties becomes important. Unlike spontaneous parametric down-conversion, four-wave mixing is accompanied by a number of parasitic effects such as nonlinear phase modulation. Currently, most modelling of photon-pair states are analytic in nature, which limits the number and type of effects that can be taken into account. In this work, we derive a complete, dual-pump evolution equation for the joint amplitude of photon pairs, wherein any desired effects can be included. We describe how to efficiently obtain numerical solution to this equation using a split-step approach. Lastly, we cover a few analytical solutions and compare two schemes for pure-photon generation under three different parasitic effects. We show how one scheme is highly sensitive to parasitic effects, while the other is very robust.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Orbital angular momentum states enabling fiber-based high-dimensional quantum communication

Quantum networks are the ultimate target in quantum communication, where many connected users can share information carried by quantum systems. The keystones of such structures are the reliable generation, transmission and manipulation of quantum states. Two-dimensional quantum states, qubits, are steadily adopted as information units. However, high-dimensional quantum states, qudits, constitute a richer resource for future quantum networks, exceeding the limitations imposed by the ubiquitous qubits. The generation and manipulation of such $D$-level systems have been improved over the last ten years, but their reliable transmission between remote locations remains the main challenge. Here, we show how a recent air-core fiber supporting orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes can be exploited to faithfully transmit $D$-dimensional states. Four OAM quantum states and their superpositions are created, propagated in a 1.2 km long fiber and detected with high fidelities. In addition, three quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols are implemented as concrete applications to assert the practicality of our results. This experiment enhances the distribution of high-dimensional quantum states, attesting the orbital angular momentum as vessel for the future quantum network.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Experimental demonstration of the DPTS QKD protocol over a 170 km fiber link

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a promising technology aiming at solving the security problem arising from the advent of quantum computers. While the main theoretical aspects are well developed today, limited performances, in terms of achievable link distance and secret key rate, are preventing the deployment of this technology on a large scale. More recent QKD protocols, which use multiple degrees of freedom for the encoding of the quantum states, allow an enhancement of the system performances. Here, we present the experimental demonstration of the differential phase-time shifting protocol (DPTS) up to 170 km of fiber link. We compare its performance with the well-known coherent one-way (COW) and the differential phase shifting (DPS) protocols, demonstrating a higher secret key rate up to 100 km. Moreover, we propagate a classical signal in the same fiber, proving the compatibility of quantum and classical light.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Generation and sampling of quantum states of light in a silicon chip

Implementing large instances of quantum algorithms requires the processing of many quantum information carriers in a hardware platform that supports the integration of different components. While established semiconductor fabrication processes can integrate many photonic components, the generation and algorithmic processing of many photons has been a bottleneck in integrated photonics. Here we report the on-chip generation and processing of quantum states of light with up to eight photons in quantum sampling algorithms. Switching between different optical pumping regimes, we implement the Scattershot, Gaussian and standard boson sampling protocols in the same silicon chip, which integrates linear and nonlinear photonic circuitry. We use these results to benchmark a quantum algorithm for calculating molecular vibronic spectra. Our techniques can be readily scaled for the on-chip implementation of specialised quantum algorithms with tens of photons, pointing the way to efficiency advantages over conventional computers.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Unidirectional frequency conversion in microring resonators for on-chip frequency-multiplexed single-photon sources

Microring resonators are attractive for low-power frequency conversion via Bragg-scattering four-wave-mixing due to their comb-like resonance spectrum. However, conversion efficiency is limited to 50% due to the equal probability of up- and down-conversion. Here, we demonstrate how two coupled microrings enable highly directional conversion between the spectral modes of one of the rings. An extinction between up- and down-conversion of more than 40 dB is experimentally observed. Based on this method, we propose a design for on-chip multiplexed single-photon sources that allow localized frequency modes to be converted into propagating continuous-mode photon wave packets using a single operation. The key is that frequency conversion works as a switch on both spatial and spectral degrees of freedom of photons if the microring is interferometrically coupled to a bus waveguide. Our numerical results show 99% conversion efficiency into a propagating mode with a wave packet having a 90% overlap with a Gaussian for a ratio between intrinsic and coupling quality factors of 400.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Shape-preserving and unidirectional frequency conversion using four-wave mixing Bragg scattering

In this work, we investigate the properties of four-wave mixing Bragg scattering in a configuration that employs orthogonally polarized pumps in a birefringent waveguide. This configuration enables a large signal conversion bandwidth, and allows strongly unidirectional frequency conversion as undesired Bragg-scattering processes are suppressed by waveguide birefringence. Moreover, we show that this form of four-wave mixing Bragg scattering preserves the (arbitrary) signal pulse shape, even when driven by pulsed pumps.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Multidimensional quantum entanglement with large-scale integrated optics

The ability to control multidimensional quantum systems is key for the investigation of fundamental science and for the development of advanced quantum technologies. Here we demonstrate a multidimensional integrated quantum photonic platform able to robustly generate, control and analyze high-dimensional entanglement. We realize a programmable bipartite entangled system with dimension up to $15 \times 15$ on a large-scale silicon-photonics quantum circuit. The device integrates more than 550 photonic components on a single chip, including 16 identical photon-pair sources. We verify the high precision, generality and controllability of our multidimensional technology, and further exploit these abilities to demonstrate key quantum applications experimentally unexplored before, such as quantum randomness expansion and self-testing on multidimensional states. Our work provides a prominent experimental platform for the development of multidimensional quantum technologies.

quant-ph↗