Optically based analog-digital converter

An optically-based digital-to-analogue converter comprising:

• a first pulse shaper and a second pulse shaper;
• a first combiner comprising a first input for a signal from the first pulse shaper, and a second input for a further signal;
• a second combiner comprising a first input for a signal from the second pulse shaper, and a second input for the further signal;
• a first quantum pulse shaper and a second quantum pulse shaper;
• wherein the first quantum pulse shaper receives an output signal of the first combiner, and wherein the second quantum pulse shaper receives an output signal of the second combiner;
• a third combiner to combine output signals of the first quantum pulse shaper and the second quantum pulse shaper;
• and
• a detector to detect an output signal of the third combiner,
• wherein:
• the optically-based digital-to-analogue converter further comprises a first splitter to split a pulsed input signal and allocate it to the first pulse shaper and the second pulse shaper;
• wherein the pulsed optical input signal first passes through an optical parametric oscillator;
• an input signal for the first pulse shaper and the second pulse shaper is provided by a continuous wave laser and a pulser;
• the further signal is generated by a further laser, wherein the further signal is split by a second splitter before being fed to the first combiner and the second combiner;
• wherein the input signal to the first pulse shaper and the second pulse shaper is altered in frequency by a non-linear element;
• the first quantum pulse shaper comprises a first non-linear waveguide and a first optical bandpass filter, and the second quantum pulse shaper comprises a second non-linear waveguide and a second optical bandpass filter;
• the first and second non-linear waveguides are either a polarised lithium niobate waveguide or a polarised potassium titanyl phosphate waveguide;
• and
• the optically-based digital-to-analogue converter is implemented in a fully integrated manner.