High-gain optical parametric amplification with a continuous-wave pump using a domain-engineered thin-film lithium niobate waveguide
Mengwen Chen, Chenyu Wang, Kunpeng Jia, Xiaohui Tian, Jie Tang, Chunxi Zhu, Xiaowen Gu, Zexing Zhao, Zikang Wang, Zhilin Ye, Ji Tang, Yong Zhang, Zhong Yan, Xuewen Wang, Guang Qian, Biaobing Jin, Zhenlin Wang, Shi-Ning Zhu, Zhenda Xie
Abstract
While thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) is known for efficient signal generation, on-chip signal amplification remains challenging from fully integrated optical communication circuits. Here we demonstrate the continuous-wave-pump optical parametric amplification (OPA) using an x-cut domain-engineered TFLN waveguide, with high gain over the telecom band up to 13.9 dB, and test it for high signal-to-noise ratio signal amplification using a commercial optical communication module pair. Fabricated in wafer scale using a process that is common for devices including modulators, this OPA device marks an important step in TFLN photonic integration.