Simulating Single-Photon Sources Based on Backward-Wave Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion in a Periodically Poled KTP Waveguide

Abstract

The properties of the backward-wave spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in a periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) waveguide are studied in the context of creating narrowband heralded sources of single-photon states. The effective index of refraction and spatial profile of different waveguide modes, efficiency of different SPDC processes and purity of heralded photons are calculated numerically for a given waveguide. Compared to the usual co-propagating SPDC, spectral narrowing of the backward-wave SPDC was observed as should be expected. Generation biphoton states in backward-wave regime is experimentally observed in two-photon detection scheme.

Keywords

• single-photon source
• SPDC
• PPKTP