Piezoelectric Optomechanical Approaches for Efficient Quantum Microwave‐to‐Optical Signal Transduction: The Need for Co‐Design. Issue 3 (17th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Balram, Krishna C.; Srinivasan, Kartik
• Is Part Of: Advanced quantum technologies. Volume 5:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-01-17
• Subjects: hybrid quantum systems -- microwave‐to‐optical transduction -- piezo‐optomechanics -- quantum transducers; Quantum theory -- Periodicals; Quantum computing -- Periodicals; Quantum chemistry -- Periodicals; Quantum electronics -- Periodicals; 537.5
• DOI: 10.1002/qute.202100095
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2511-9044

Abstract

Abstract: Piezoelectric optomechanical platforms represent one of the most promising routes toward achieving quantum transduction of photons between the microwave and optical frequency domains. However, there are significant challenges to achieving near‐unity transduction efficiency. The authors discuss such factors in the context of the two main approaches being pursued for high efficiency transduction. The first approach uses 1D nanobeam optomechanical crystals excited by interdigitated transducers and is characterized by large single‐photon optomechanical coupling strength, limited intracavity pump photon population to avoid absorption‐induced heating (at cryogenic temperature), and low phonon injection efficiency from the transducer to the optomechanical cavity. The second approach uses (quasi) bulk acoustic wave resonators integrated into photonic Fabry–Perot cavity geometries and is characterized by low single‐photon optomechanical coupling strength, high intracavity pump photon population without significant heating, and high phonon injection efficiency. After reviewing the current status of both approaches, the need for co‐designing the electromechanical and optomechanical sub‐systems is discussed in order to achieve high transduction efficiencies, taking the GaAs piezo‐optomechanical platform as an example. Abstract : Piezo‐optomechanics represents an important route for realizing quantum‐limited microwave‐to‐optical transduction, which is critical for networking distributed superconducting quantum nodes. In this invited perspective review, the authors discuss the key efficiency limitations of the main device architectures under development, and discuss the need to focus more attention on the co‐design of the constituent piezoelectric and optomechanical sub‐systems in order to develop more optimized transducers.