Generation of Counterpropagating Path-Entangled Photon Pairs in a Single Periodic Waveguide

Phys Rev Lett. 2017 May 5;118(18):183603. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.183603. Epub 2017 May 3.

Abstract

We propose the use of nonlinear periodic waveguides for direct and fully integrated generation of counterpropagating photon pairs by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Using the unique properties of Bloch modes in such periodic structures, we furthermore show that two counterpropagating phase-matching conditions can be fulfilled simultaneously, allowing for the generation of path-entangled Bell states in a single periodic waveguide. To demonstrate the feasibility of our proposal, we design a photonic crystal slab waveguide made of lithium niobate and numerically demonstrate Bell-state generation.