Low-Loss High-Speed C-Band Fiber-Optic Switch Suitable for Quantum Signals

Quantum signals such as entangled photons are typically at the sub-photon level and, thus, require near noise-less and low-loss components for their manipulation and processing. A common signal-manipulation tool is a 2 x 2 switch, and many applications of quantum switches also require fast switching rates and input signals in the fiber-friendly 1550-nm band. Traditional optical switching technology does not simultaneously meet all the desired metrics for a quantum switch. We demonstrate a low-noise fiber-optic photonic switch based on cross phase modulation that is fast (sub-ns), low loss (< 1 dB), and operates in the 1550-nm wavelength band.