IEM Distinguished Lecturers Seminar: Nonlinear Nanomaterials for Optical Computing and Quantum Sources
*** Drinks and pizza at 11:45 in the lobby of BM 5202 ***
This is a Joint Seminar with the EPFL Center for Quantum Science and Engineering (QSE Center)
Abstract
Thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) has emerged as a leading platform for integrated photonics, combining frequency conversion with low-loss waveguides and electro-optic effects. These properties help to address key limitations of silicon-based material platforms, which rely on third-order processes and suffer from nonlinear photon absorption. While TFLN has proven effective in classical devices, its potential for scalable quantum photonic circuits remains marginal. Here, I will show different type of periodic poling on chip for spontaneous parametric down conversion such as counter or back propagation convenient for high generation efficiency, single polarisation and high purity of photons.
I will also present our recent advances in nanoparticle for photon entanglement, bottom-up assemblies of randomly oriented nanocrystals for optical computing, and solution process to produce nonlinear classical and quantum signals. These various approaches can enable the fabrication of nonlinear optical devices for quantum communication, optical computing, and sensing, while eliminating the need for complex TFLN etching processes.
Bio
Since 2025 Rachel Grange appointed Full Professor of Photonics at ETH Zurich. She is serving as Head of the Department of Physics for the 2025–2027 term. She has been Associate Professor and Assistant Professor in the field of integrated optics and nonlinear nanophotonics in the Department of Physics at ETH Zurich since 2015. From 2011 to 2014, she was junior group leader at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany. Her research covers material investigations at the nanoscale, top-down and bottom-up fabricated nanostructures with metal-oxides, mainly thin film lithium niobate and solution processed barium titanate for classical and quantum devices.
This is a Joint Seminar with the EPFL Center for Quantum Science and Engineering (QSE Center)
Abstract
Thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) has emerged as a leading platform for integrated photonics, combining frequency conversion with low-loss waveguides and electro-optic effects. These properties help to address key limitations of silicon-based material platforms, which rely on third-order processes and suffer from nonlinear photon absorption. While TFLN has proven effective in classical devices, its potential for scalable quantum photonic circuits remains marginal. Here, I will show different type of periodic poling on chip for spontaneous parametric down conversion such as counter or back propagation convenient for high generation efficiency, single polarisation and high purity of photons.
I will also present our recent advances in nanoparticle for photon entanglement, bottom-up assemblies of randomly oriented nanocrystals for optical computing, and solution process to produce nonlinear classical and quantum signals. These various approaches can enable the fabrication of nonlinear optical devices for quantum communication, optical computing, and sensing, while eliminating the need for complex TFLN etching processes.
Bio
Since 2025 Rachel Grange appointed Full Professor of Photonics at ETH Zurich. She is serving as Head of the Department of Physics for the 2025–2027 term. She has been Associate Professor and Assistant Professor in the field of integrated optics and nonlinear nanophotonics in the Department of Physics at ETH Zurich since 2015. From 2011 to 2014, she was junior group leader at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany. Her research covers material investigations at the nanoscale, top-down and bottom-up fabricated nanostructures with metal-oxides, mainly thin film lithium niobate and solution processed barium titanate for classical and quantum devices.
Practical information
- General public
- Free