Laser written circuits for quantum photonics

• Published in: Laser & photonics reviews 2015-07, Vol.9 (4), p.363-384
• Main Authors: Meany, Thomas, Gräfe, Markus, Heilmann, René, Perez-Leija, Armando, Gross, Simon, Steel, Michael J., Withford, Michael J., Szameit, Alexander
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Circuits; Computer simulation; Femtosecond; Information science; laser materials processing; Lasers; photonic integrated circuits; Photons; Platforms; quantum computation; Quantum information; Quantum theory; Rapid prototyping; Small scale; waveguides
• ISSN: 1863-8880; 1863-8899
• DOI: 10.1002/lpor.201500061

The femtosecond laser direct‐writing (FLDW) of waveguide circuits in glasses has seen interest from a number of fields over the previous 20 years. It has evolved from a curiosity to a viable platform for the rapid prototyping of small scale circuits. The field of quantum information science has exploited this capability and in the process advanced the fabrication technique. In this review the technological aspects of the laser inscription method relevant to quantum information science will be discussed. A range of demonstrations which have been enabled by laser written circuits will be outlined; these include novel circuits, simulations, photon sources and detection. This places the FLDW technique among the few integrated optical platforms to have produced individually every component required for scalable quantum computation. The femtosecond laser direct‐writing (FLDW) of waveguide circuits in glasses has seen interest from a number of fields over the previous 20 years. It has evolved from a curiosity to a viable platform for the rapid prototyping of small scale circuits. The field of quantum information science has exploited this capability and in the process advanced the fabrication technique. In this review the technological aspects of the laser inscription method relevant to quantum information science will be discussed. A range of demonstrations which have been enabled by laser written circuits will be outlined; these include novel circuits, simulations, photon sources and detection. This places the FLDW technique among the few integrated optical platforms to have produced individually every component required for scalable quantum computation.