Spectral compression using time-varying cavities

Abstract

Spectral compression will be needed for efficient interfacing of broadband photons with narrowband quantum memories for applications in quantum information and networking. In this Letter, we propose spectral compression via a time-varying, linear optical cavity. Unlike other recent works on time-varying cavities based on modulation of the intracavity phase, our spectral compression concept is based on rapid switching of coupling into the cavity. We analyze spectral compression performance metrics as a function of mirror reflectivity, cavity loss, and switching speed and discuss potential implementation in integrated photonics.