On-the-Fly Wavelength Conversion of Photons by Dynamic Control of Photonic Waveguides

We demonstrate experimentally on-the-fly wavelength conversion of photons as they propagate along a photonic crystal waveguide by dynamically controlling the waveguide mode. This allows for a broad-band, highly efficient form of wavelength conversion without the restrictive resonator systems considered necessary until now. On-the-fly wavelength conversion can be directly integrated with other photonic nano-devices to provide dynamic functionality. This technique is anticipated to have a significant impact on various applications including advanced photonic circuits, stopping (or slowing) light and quantum information processing.