In-line fiber-integrated photon-pair generation from van der Waals crystals

Abstract

Miniaturized quantum light sources that operate directly in optical fibers are an attractive platform for optical quantum technologies. However, most miniaturized spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) sources still rely on objective-lens-based free-space pumping and collection, which limits compactness, robustness, and direct compatibility with fiber-based systems. Here we demonstrate a lens-free in-line SPDC photon-pair source by integrating a van der Waals NbOI $$_2$$ flake directly onto the end facet of an optical fiber. In this configuration, the generated photon-pairs are efficiently collected into optical fibers, eliminating the need for bulk free-space collection optics. Despite the limited numerical aperture of the single-mode fiber, efficient photon-pair collection with high coincidence-to-accidental ratio (CAR), characterized by a coincidence-to-accidental ratio of up to $$\sim $$ 4600, is achieved in an ultracompact configuration. These results establish van der Waals ferroelectric materials as a promising platform for fiber-integrated quantum light sources and provide a pathway toward compact, alignment-free quantum photonic devices.