<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline" overflow="scroll"><mml:mi>Er</mml:mi><mml:mo>:</mml:mo><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi>Li</mml:mi><mml:mi>Nb</mml:mi><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">O</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mn>3</mml:mn></mml:msub></mml:math> with High Optical Coherence Enabling Optical Thickness Control
Sihao Wang, Likai Yang, Mohan Shen, Wei Fu, Yuntao Xu, R. L. Cone, Charles W. Thiel, Hong X. Tang
Abstract
Integrated photonics capable of incorporating rare-earth ions with high optical coherence is desirable for realizing efficient quantum transducers, compact quantum memories, and hybrid quantum systems. Here we describe a photonic platform based on the SmartCut erbium-doped lithium niobate thin film, and explore its stable optical transitions at telecom wavelength in a dilution refrigerator. Optical coherence time of up to $180\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$, rivaling the value of bulk crystals, is achieved in optical ridge waveguides and ring resonators. With this integrated platform, we demonstrate tunable light-ion interaction and flexible control of optical thickness by exploiting long waveguides, whose lengths are in principle variable. This unique ability to obtain high optical density using low-concentration ions further leads to the observation of multiecho pulse trains in centimeter-long waveguides. Our results establish a promising photonic platform for quantum information processing with rare-earth ions.