Space qualification of ultrafast laser written integrated waveguide optics

Abstract

Satellite-based quantum technologies represent a possible route for extending the achievable range of quantum communication, allowing the construction of worldwide quantum networks without quantum repeaters. In space missions, however, the volume available for the instrumentation is limited, and footprint is a crucial specification of the devices that can be employed. Integrated optics could be highly beneficial in this sense, as it allows for the miniaturization of different functionalities in small and monolithic photonic circuits. In this work, we report on the qualification of waveguides fabricated in glass by femtosecond laser micromachining for their use in a low Earth orbit space environment. In particular, we exposed different laser written integrated devices, such as straight waveguides, directional couplers, and Mach-Zehnder interferometers, to suitable proton and $\gamma$-ray irradiation. Our experiments show that no significant changes have been induced to their characteristics and performances by the radiation exposure. Our results, combined with the high compatibility of laser-written optical circuits to quantum communication applications, pave the way for the use of laser-written integrated photonic components in future satellite missions.

References in corpus (28)

• Satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution
• Universal Linear Optics
• Ground-to-satellite quantum teleportation
• Satellite-relayed intercontinental quantum network
• Secure quantum key distribution over 421 km of optical fiber
• The European Quantum Technologies Roadmap
• Large-scale silicon quantum photonics implementing arbitrary two-qubit processing
• On-Chip Detection of Entangled Photons by Scalable Integration of Single-Photon Detectors
• Experimental Satellite Quantum Communications
• Satellite-to-ground quantum communication using a 50-kg-class micro-satellite
• Laser written waveguide photonic quantum circuits
• Entanglement distribution over 300 km of fiber
• Radiation tolerance of two-dimensional material-based devices for space applications
• Low bend loss waveguides enable compact, efficient 3D photonic chips
• Space-compatible cavity-enhanced single-photon generation with hexagonal boron nitride
• Quantum-limited measurements of optical signals from a geostationary satellite
• Bell states generation on a III-V semiconductor chip at room temperature
• CubeSat quantum communications mission
• Interference at the Single Photon Level Along Satellite-Ground Channels
• Experimental multiphase estimation on a chip
• Experimental Single-Photon Transmission from Satellite to Earth
• Integrated sources of entangled photons at telecom wavelength in femtosecond-laser-written circuits
• Symmetric polarization insensitive directional couplers fabricated by femtosecond laser waveguide writing
• First on-sky demonstration of an integrated-photonic nulling-interferometer: The GLINT instrument
• Generation and analysis of correlated pairs of photons on board a nanosatellite
• A two-channel, spectrally degenerate polarization entangled source on chip
• Interfacing scalable photonic platforms: solid-state based multi-photon interference in a reconfigurable glass chip
• Silicon avalanche photodiode operation and lifetime analysis for small satellites

Cited by in corpus (4)

• 2023 Astrophotonics Roadmap: pathways to realizing multi-functional integrated astrophotonic instruments
• QUICK${}^3$ -- Design of a satellite-based quantum light source for quantum communication and extended physical theory tests in space
• Simulations of mode-selective photonic lanterns for efficient coupling of starlight into the single-mode regime
• Astrophotonics -- current capabilities and the road ahead