NUCRYPT LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: A16-095

Description

Optical switches that are simultaneously fast (sub-nanosecond), low loss (< 1 dB), and add low noise (< 10^-5 added noise photons per mode) are not available commercially, but would be an important tool for manipulating quantum signals. It is important for such a switch to operate near 1550 nm, as this is the lowest loss wavelength in standard optical fibers and as such is desirable for distributing quantum information over long distances. Switches based on cross-phase modulation in optical fiber are capable of meeting the requirements, but have thus far for technological reasons only operated near 1310 nm wavelengths. In this program we will develop prototype optical switches suitable for quantum signals in the 1550 nm band. The switches will be optimized to operate at high rates, with low insertion losses, and will have the required hardware and software to enable cascading the switches into switch fabrics. They will become new tools for manipulating quantum signals for quantum networking applications.