Experimental implementation of a quantum computing algorithm strongly relies on the ability to construct required unitary transformations applied to the input quantum states. In particular, near-term linear optical computing requires universal programmable interferometers, capable of implementing an arbitrary transformation of input optical modes. So far these devices were composed as a circuit with well defined building blocks, such as balanced beamsplitters. This approach is vulnerable to manufacturing imperfections inevitable in any realistic experimental implementation, and the larger the circuit size grows, the more strict the tolerances become. In this work we demonstrate a new methodology for the design of the high-dimensional mode transformations, which overcomes this problem, and carefully investigate its features. The circuit in our architecture is composed of interchanging mode mixing layers, which may be almost arbitrary, and layers of variable phaseshifters, allowing to program the device to approximate any desired unitary transformation. arXiv:1906.06748v1 [quant-ph]

Integrated optical waveguides, manufactured with femtosecond laser writing (FSLW) technology, enable precise control and manipulation of light in complicated photonic chips. However, due to the intrinsically low anisotropy of FSLW waveguides, polarizing integrated devices have had a relatively large footprint. In this Letter, we demonstrate an approach based on stress-induced anisotropy, allowing us to decrease the size of polarizing directional couplers down to 3.7 mm, almost an order of magnitude shorter than previously reported. The measured extinction ratios at the wavelength of 808 nm are 16 dB and 20 dB for the horizontal and vertical polarizations, respectively. We provide a possible theoretical model for the observed effects.

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