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Schmidt, M. A. (2012). Integration: Fibres embrace optoelectronics. Nat. Photon., 6(3), 143–145.
Abstract: The demonstration of an in-fibre semiconductor photodetector with gigahertz bandwidth bodes well for the future development of hybrid fibre optoelectronics.
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He, R., Sazio, P. J. A., Peacock, A. C., Healy, N., Sparks, J. R., Krishnamurthi, M., et al. (2012). Integration of gigahertz-bandwidth semiconductor devices inside microstructured optical fibres. Nat. Photon., 6(3), 174–179.
Abstract: The prospect of an all-fibre optical communications network in which light can be generated, modulated and detected within the fibre itself without the need for discrete optoelectronic devices is an appealing one. However, to become a reality, this approach requires the incorporation of optoelectronic materials and functionalities into silica fibres to create a new breed of semiconductor-fibre hybrid devices for performing various tasks. Here, we report the integration of precisely doped semiconductor materials and high-quality rectifying semiconductor junctions into microstructured optical fibres, enabling high-speed, in-fibre functionalities such as photodetection at telecommunications wavelengths. These semiconductor-fibre hybrid devices exhibit a bandwidth of up to 3 GHz and seamless coupling to standard single-mode optical fibres.
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Pile, D. (2012). How many bits can a photon carry. Nat. Photon., 6(1), 14–15.
Abstract: Quantum physics offers a way to enhance the amount of information a photon can carry, with potential applications in optical communication, lithography, metrology and imaging.
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Usmani, I., Clausen, C., Bussières, F., Sangouard, N., Afzelius, M., & Gisin, N. (2012). Heralded quantum entanglement between two crystals. Nat. Photon., 6(4), 234–237.
Abstract: Quantum networks must have the crucial ability to entangle quantum nodes. A prominent example is the quantum repeater, which allows the distance barrier of direct transmission of single photons to be overcome, provided remote quantum memories can be entangled in a heralded fashion. Here, we report the observation of heralded entanglement between two ensembles of rare-earth ions doped into separate crystals. A heralded single photon is sent through a 50/50 beamsplitter, creating a single-photon entangled state delocalized between two spatial modes. The quantum state of each mode is subsequently mapped onto a crystal, leading to an entangled state consisting of a single collective excitation delocalized between two crystals. This entanglement is revealed by mapping it back to optical modes and by estimating the concurrence of the retrieved light state. Our results highlight the potential of crystals doped with rare-earth ions for entangled quantum nodes and bring quantum networks based on solid-state resources one step closer.
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Lydersen, L., Wiechers, C., Wittmann, C., Elser, D., Skaar, J., & Makarov, V. (2010). Hacking commercial quantum cryptography systems by tailored bright illumination. Nat. Photon., 4(10), 686–689.
Abstract: The peculiar properties of quantum mechanics allow two remote parties to communicate a private, secret key, which is protected from eavesdropping by the laws of physics. So-called quantum key distribution (QKD) implementations always rely on detectors to measure the relevant quantum property of single photons. Here we demonstrate experimentally that the detectors in two commercially available QKD systems can be fully remote-controlled using specially tailored bright illumination. This makes it possible to tracelessly acquire the full secret key; we propose an eavesdropping apparatus built of off-the-shelf components. The loophole is likely to be present in most QKD systems using avalanche photodiodes to detect single photons. We believe that our findings are crucial for strengthening the security of practical QKD, by identifying and patching technological deficiencies.
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