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Entangled photon-pair generation in metallo-dielectric photonic bandgap structures

Abstract:

1D metallo-dielectric photonic band gap structures are considered as efficient sources of entangled photon pairs. A quantum vectorial model of spontaneous parametric down conversion in layered media exploiting the expansion into monochromatic plane waves is applied to a structure composed of alternating Ta2O5/Ag layers. Nonlinear optical response of the metal originates here from the Lorentz force acting on oscillating free electrons. Higher localization of fields in both dielectric and metal regions as well as a very small value of skin depth in Ag result in higher generation efficiencies compared to purely dielectric photonic band-gap structures. Properties of photon pairs including polarization-resolved spectra are analyzed in the structure. A suitable numerical method guaranteeing high photon-pair generation rates is discussed. Copyright © 2012 SPIE.