Mainz 2026 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 3: Quantum Technologies – Enabling Technologies
Q 3.2: Talk
Monday, March 2, 2026, 12:00–12:15, P 5
Topology-Optimized Two-Port Beam Splitters for Quantum Photonic Integrated Circuits — Shiang-Yu Huang1, •Alessandro Ciorra1, Jonas Höpker1, Jeldrik Huster1, Yannick Augenstein2,3, Carsten Rockstuhl2,3, and Stefanie Barz1,4 — 1Institute for Functional Matter and Quantum Technologies, University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany — 2Institute of Theoretical Solid State Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany — 3Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany — 4Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST), University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
In quantum information processing, two-port beam splitters serve as the essential elements where multiphoton interference occurs, which enables the generation of photonic quantum states. Meanwhile, topology optimization has recently advanced integrated photonics by enabling ultracompact, high-performance devices through efficient exploration of large design spaces and the discovery of non-intuitive geometries. In this work, we explore how different constraints in the topology optimization, such as device footprint, minimum feature size, etc., affect the performance of the beam splitter designs. We characterize the beam splitters using single-photon and two-photon measurements. We also reconstruct each devices transfer matrix and analyze the linear transformations they implement. Our results provide insight into how the inverse-designed beam splitters operate and highlight their potential for scalable and densely integrated quantum photonic systems.
Keywords: Topology Optimization; Photonic Quantum Information Processing; Integrated Photonics