Compact Tunable High-Efficiency Entangled Photon Source, Phase I

MagiQ proposes to develop a compact tunable high-efficiency low-power-consumption entangled photon source. The source, based on inter-Fabry-Perot-cavity Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion (SPDC) of pump light in periodically polled non-linear waveguides (PPLN or PPKTP) is expected to provide high spectral density flux of entangled photon pairs. The output wavelength will be within the C-band (1529 to 1563 nm) permitting usage of plethora of components developed for classical communication links. The Fabry-Perot setup will provide for the narrow frequency output -- an attractive feature for low power communications in presence of the ambient light. Waveguide-based inter-cavity SPDC is the main proposed innovation. The entangled output wavelength tuning will be achieved by changing the wavelength of the pump light. The wavelength agility will facilitate device usage in the reconfigurable communications links -- a feature that can be very important in the planetary exploration systems involving small robotic explorers. Breadboard demonstration of the time-bin entanglement setup will be completed during Phase I of the project; delivery of a fully functional device producing both, time-bin and polarization entanglement is expected at the end of Phase II.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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