Affiliation:
1. Chinese Academy of Sciences
2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Abstract
An asymmetric Mach–Zehnder interferometer (AMZI) is an essential device
to generate pulse pairs in quantum key distribution systems. An AMZI
based on a dual-chip coupling structure in a silica-on-silicon planar
light wave circuit platform is proposed, which includes
a variable optical splitter (VOS), a delay line (DL), and a
directional coupler (DC). The AMZI chip is divided into a VOS-DL part
and a DC part, and the two parts are independently manufactured and
then coupled. Since the DC part occupies the smallest area of the AMZI
chip and is most sensitive to manufacturing errors, separate
production can reduce the process difficulty and fabrication errors.
In the experiment, balanced pulse pairs with a delay time of
402 ps are obtained in the condition of single photon
transmission, and the excess loss is 0.8 dB. This dual-chip
coupling structure can improve the yield and reduce the manufacturing
cost when producing large chips.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of
China
Provincial Foundation for Excellent Young
Talents of Colleges and Universities of Anhui
Province
Open Foundation of Anhui ASIC
System-in-Package Engineering Research Center
Open Foundation of the RF Integration and
Microassembly Technology National and Local Joint Engineering
Laboratory
Subject
Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics,Engineering (miscellaneous),Electrical and Electronic Engineering