Photonic Microcombs

MINIATURIZING THE QUANTUM WORLD

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) will play a key role in transitioning quantum-enabled technologies beyond the laboratory. While photonic components in the telecommunication bands are relatively commonplace, the infrastructure supporting other wavelengths is relatively lacking. To advance this technology, our team investigates novel photonic components including microcombs and PIC-compatible laser sources.

Microcombs are an enabling technology for a diverse set of applications ranging from communications to quantum sensing and timing. They are a key element in dividing optical frequencies into the radio frequency domain, where traditional photodetection is possible.

AFRL is collaborating with leading researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technologies and Sandia National Laboratory to further the development and the maturity of microcombs and photonic integrated circuits.