PIC Lasers and Integrated Solutions for Quantum Technology

Quantum technologies reliant on atoms or ions require lasers and downstream optical components, like optical isolators, wavelength references, and phase and intensity modulators. As quantum computers scale to large numbers of qubits, or quantum sensors demand robust, field-deployable lasers with lower size, weight, power, and cost, and related components must become smaller and better integrated. These are the promises of photonic integrated circuits (PICs), and recently narrow linewidth tunable lasers and these downstream components have been demonstrated on-chip.

In this talk, the potential advantages of PIC-based lasers will be presented: Specification advantages in a stand-alone laser, and the possibility to integrate lasers with many other on-chip components. Heiniger describes recent progress in integrated lasers and components, compare the PIC devices to their state-of-the-art macroscopic counterparts, and identify the gaps that must be closed before PIC systems can deliver on their quantum tech-enabling promise.

About the presenter
Adam Heiniger, Ph.D., received his doctorate in 2014 from the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester, where he studied the use of silicon photonic resonators as optical biosensors. He has also performed research on kW-class CW and ultrafast fiber amplifiers. At TOPTICA, Heiniger has worked in scientific sales and is now the senior product manager, managing the TOPO and Optical Isolators product lines and leading a team of application scientists.