The Electrostatic Self-Assembly (ESA) technique possesses great advantages over traditional thin film fabrication methods, making it an excellent choice for a number of applications in the fields of linear and nonlinear optics, electronics, sensing and surface coatings. The feasibility of fabricating linear optical interference filters by ESA methods is demonstrated in this thesis work. Basic single-anion/single-cation ESA films are synthesized and their optical parameters -- refractive index and average thickness for individual bilayer -- are investigated to provide a basis for the in-depth design of optical filters. High performance dielectric stack filters and narrowband and wideband antireflection coatings are designed using TFCalc simulation software and are fabricated by ESA. Both bulk film sensitivity and layer sensitivity to manufacturing errors are provided. The significant agreement between simulation and experiment demonstrates the strong capability of ESA to precisely control the refractive index and produce excellent thin film filters. The performance of optical thin film filters is largely enhanced compared to the results of previous methods. The experiment results indicate that the ESA process may be used to fabricate optical filters and other optical structures that require precise index profile control. / Master of Science

Aerosol particles are important in air quality, climate, and human health. They can affect the earth’s energy budget directly by scattering and absorbing solar radiation and serve as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), thus influencing cloud properties and lifetime. Atmospheric aerosols are formed through a wide variety of natural and anthropogenic sources. This dissertation presents a comprehensive investigation into the behavior of water-soluble organic molecules on atmospheric aerosol surfaces using Second Harmonic Scattering (SHS). The study focuses on understanding the partitioning of these molecules at the aerosol surface, a crucial aspect in atmospheric chemistry impacting cloud formation, radiation balance, and air quality. The research is divided into three main parts. Initially, the study explores the disposition of organic molecules on aerosol surfaces, utilizing a modified Langmuir model to describe their behavior. This part emphasizes the predominant residence of these molecules on the aerosol surface, highlighting the surface's significant role in atmospheric reactions. The second part examines the interactions between salts and organic molecules on the aerosol surface. A series of experiments with varying salts reveal how different ions influence the partitioning behavior of organic molecules, underscoring the importance of ionic species in governing aerosol surface dynamics. The final part of the study reveals a significant difference between the aerosol and planar air-water interfaces. The equilibrium rate constant for aerosols is found to be tenfold faster, indicating a larger Gibbs free energy, contrasting with the planar air-water interface scenario. And aerosol surfaces exhibit lower molecular density due to the finite availability of organic molecules. These findings highlight aerosol surfaces' unique kinetic and thermodynamic behaviors compared to their planar counterparts. This work significantly advances our understanding of aerosols, their surfaces, and the various factors influencing their behavior in the atmosphere. The findings have crucial implications for our comprehension of climate change, air quality, and aerosols' environmental and health impacts. The introduction of a novel in-situ technique for detecting organic molecules at aerosol surfaces marks a breakthrough in aerosol research, offering insights into the distribution and interactions of these molecules within atmospheric particles. / Chemistry

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / Serà estudado nesta dissertaÃÃo o comportamento da propagaÃÃo de trÃs tipos de pulsos Ãpticos (Solitons, Quasisolitons e Gaussianos) ultracurtos na regiÃo de 1.55μm e a eficiÃncia de conversÃo destes na geraÃÃo de pulsos por meio do fenÃmeno nÃo-linear de mistura de quatro ondas (FWM) em uma fibra comum e em fibras com dispersÃo decrescente em sistemas multiplexados por divisÃo de comprimento de onda (WDM). Para tal usamos seis diferentes perfis de dispersÃo; Constante, Linear, LogarÃtmico, Gaussiano, Exponencial e HiperbÃlico; nas simulaÃÃes da propagaÃÃo dos pulsos atravÃs de 100 Km de fibras.Na anÃlise dos resultados observamos que a eficiÃncia de conversÃo decai quando aumentamos a separaÃÃo entre os canais independentemente do perfil. Dentre estes perfis para os trÃs tipos de pulsos quando na separaÃÃo de canal de 0.2nm o HiperbÃlico apresentou a maior eficiÃncia, sendo de aproximadamente 1000 vezes maior em magnitude se comparada aos perfis Constante, Linear e LogarÃtmico.Para o pulso Gaussiano, exceto pelo perfil HiperbÃlico todos os outros perfis apresentaram a mesma eficiÃncia a partir da separaÃÃo de 0.675nm. Os pulsos Soliton e Quasisoliton tambÃm apresentam tal exceÃÃo no perfil Exponencial. A eficiÃncia de conversÃo ao longo do comprimento da fibra foi analisada para os trÃs tipos de pulsos em cada um dos seis perfis. Em todos os tipos de pulsos os perfis que apresentaram maior eficiÃncia de conversÃo, em ordem decrescente foram o HiperbÃlico, o Exponencial e o Gaussiano. Os outros trÃs, Constante, Linear e LogarÃtmico, apresentaram eficiÃncias muito prÃximas nos trÃs tipos de pulsos. Durante a propagaÃÃo observamos a presenÃa de pulsos gerados pela instabilidade modulacional para os trÃs tipos de pulsos nos perfis Constante, Linear, LogarÃtmico, Gaussiano e Exponencial. Entretanto apÃs percorrido aproximadamente 20Km a instabilidade modulacional desaparece nos trÃs primeiros perfis e nos outros dois o fenÃmeno permanece atà o final da propagaÃÃo na maioria dos casos. Em todos os casos estudados houve um aumento da eficiÃncia de conversÃo do pulso no canal 3 quando do incremento da potÃncia dos pulsos incidentes nos canais 1 e 4. A anÃlise do fator de compressÃo mostrou que os pulsos Soliton e Quasisoliton no canal 1 apresentaram alargamento na maioria dos perfis. E o pulso Gaussiano no canal 1 sà apresentou alargamento no perfil HiperbÃlico. No canal 4 o pulso Soliton sà apresentou compressÃo no perfil HiperbÃlico, o pulso Quasisoliton apresentou alargamento somente nos perfis Exponencial e Constante, no pulso Gaussiano todos os perfis apresentaram compressÃo, exceto o Constante que ao fim da propagaÃÃo obteve o mesmo valor que no inÃcio desta. A compressÃo do pulso gerado no canal 3 em todos os casos apresentou uma forte oscilaÃÃo nos primeiros 20 Km propagados e nos pulsos Soliton e Quasisoliton o perfil Gaussiano apresentou uma variaÃÃo brusca depois de percorrido 60 Km e estabilizando-se antes do fim da propagaÃÃo. / This dissertation will study the behavior of the propagation of three types of optical pulses (Solitons, Quasisolitons and Gaussianos, short ultra in the area of 1.55μm) and their efficiencies of conversion in the generation of pulses through the non linear phenomenon of four waves mixture (FWM) in a common fiber and in fibers with decreasing dispersion in systems multiplexados by wavelength division (WDM). Six different dispersion profiles were used during the simulations of propagation of the pulses through 100km of fibers: Constant, Linear, Logarithmic, Gaussiano, Exponential and Hyperbolic. The analysis of the results concluded that the efficiency of conversion declines when he/she increases the separation of the channels independently of the profile. The Hyperbolic profiles presented the largest efficiency when in the separation of channel of 0.2nm, being of approximately 1000 times larger in magnitude if compared to the other profiles Constant, Lineal and Logarithmic. In the pulse Gaussiano all profiles presented the same efficiency starting from the separation of 0.675nm, except for the Hyperbolic profile. While in the Soliton and Quasisoliton pulses, the Exponential profiel also presents such exception. The conversion efficiency along the length of the fiber was analyzed for the three types of pulses for each one of the six profiles. For all of the types of pulses the profiles that presented larger efficiency in decreasing order were, the Hyperbolic, the Exponential and Gaussiano. The other three, Constant, Lineal and Logarithmic, presented very close efficiencies for the three types of pulses. The presence of pulses generated by the instability modulacional for the three types of pulses in the profiles Constant, Lineal, Logarithmic, Gaussiano and Exponential was observed during the propagation. After travelling approximately 20Km the instability modulacional disappears in the first three profiles in all types of pulses while in the other two profiles the phenomenon stays until the end of the propagation in most of the cases. There was an increase of the efficiency of the conversion of the pulse in the channel 3 when of the increment of the potency of the incident pulses in the channels 1 and 4 in all the three types of pulses in each one of the six profiles. The analysis of the compression factor indicated that the pulse generated in the channel 3 by mixture of four waves (FWM) and the incident pulse in the channel 4 always presented compression during the propagation. The incident pulse in the channel 1 also presented compression in most of the profiles and in the Hyperbolic profile it presented strong enlargement attributed to the loss of energy. In the pulse generated in the channel 3 in all of the cases a strong oscillation was observed in the first 20 Km while in the Soliton and Quasisoliton pulses the Gaussian profile presented an abrupt variation after traveling 60 Km and being stabilized before the end of the propagation. This analysis concludes that the control of the efficiency of conversion and of the compression factor in the generation of mixture of four waves is made possible by the use of fiber optic with decreasing dispersion.

One of the current hot topics in physics is quantum information, which, broadly speaking, is concerned with exploring the information-processing and storing tasks that can be performed in quantum mechanical systems. Besides driving forward our experimental control and understanding of quantum systems, the field is also in the early stages of developing revolutionary new technology of far reaching implication. As part of these endeavors, this thesis presents some results in experimental quantum information. Specifically, we develop several new tools for performing quantum information processing in optical quantum systems, and use them to explore a number of applications and novel physical phenomena. A central theme, and one of the most sought after applications of quantum information, is the pursuit of a programmable quantum computer. This thesis is divided into 3 parts. In Part I we develop some new optical quantum logic gates, which are tools for manipulating quantum information and the fundamental building blocks of a quantum computer. We also develop a new technique for simplifying the construction of quantum logic circuits, by exploiting multi-level quantum systems, that has the potential for application in any physical encoding of quantum information. In Part II we use these tools to perform some of the first demonstrations of quantum algorithms. Each of these could, in principle, efficiently solve an important problem that is thought to be fundamentally intractable using conventional `classical' techniques. Firstly we implement a simplified version of the quantum algorithm for factoring numbers, and demonstrate the core processes, coherent control, and resultant entangled states required for a full-scale implementation. Secondly we implement an algorithm for calculating the energy of many-body quantum systems. Specifically, we calculate the energy spectrum of the Hydrogen molecule, in a minimal basis. Finally we demonstrate an algorithm for a novel model of quantum computing that uses mixed states. Here we perform the first characterisation of intrinsically non-classical correlations between fully separable quantum systems, captured by the 'discord'---a measure of quantum correlations in mixed states that goes beyond entanglement. Part III presents a technique that extends experimental control over biphotons---the novel quantum information carriers formed by the polarisation of two photons in the same spatial and temporal mode. We also generate and explore new forms of entanglement: producing the first instance of qubit-qutrit entanglement, by entangling the polarisation of a photon and a biphoton, and developing a technique that enables full control over the level of `W-class' of multi-partite entanglement between the polarisation of three photons.

No description available.

Nos últimos anos, materiais orgânicos tem ganhado grande interesse em áreas que envolvem espectroscopia óptica não linear. Isso se dá devido aos materiais possuirem consideráveis efeitos ópticos não lineares, apresentarem facilidade de síntese e possuirem propriedades fotofísicas e fotoquímicas que os tornam capazes de serem empregados em um vasto número de possíveis aplicações. Entre os materiais orgânicos, é possível destacar as Porfirinas e Ftalocianinas. A síntese desses materiais possibilita um grande número de classes ou grupos distintos, os quais podem ser distinguidos por suas estruturas periféricas e/ou íons metálicos que podem ser inseridos no interior dos macrociclos. Isso resulta em alterações das suas propriedades ópticas, ou seja, através de alterações das estruturas químicas das Porfirinas e Ftalocianinas é possível modelar suas propriedades ópticas, e assim, de acordo com essas propriedades, discriminar em quais aplicações podem ser empregados. Tais materiais, tendo em vista suas propriedades fotofísicas, podem ser empregados como fotossensitizadores na terapia fotodinâmica, células solares, limitadores ópticos ou fotobactericidas entre outras mais. Sendo assim, nesta Dissertação de Mestrado é realizado uma caracterização espectroscópica linear e não linear desses materiais, para assim deterinar propriedades ópticas específicas que podem ser empregadas nas aplicações citadas. Para tal caracterização espectroscópica, foram empregadas técnicas de espectroscopia linear e não linear, dentre elas a técnica de Varredura-Z foi empregada em três configurações distintas (Varredura-Z por Pulso Único, por Trem de Pulsos e por Luz Branca Supercontínua) para determinação de absorções de estados excitados. Tempos de vida de fluorescência, tempos de decaimento radiativo e de conversão interna, seções de choque de absorção de estado singleto e tripleto (fundamental e excitado) e eficiências quânticas (fluorescência, conversão interna e converção para tripleto) foram os parâmetros determinados e, assim, através desses parâmetros, foi possível entender como alterações nas estruturas químicas (periféricas e íons metálicos) influenciam consideravelmente as propriedades de Porfirinas e Ftalocianinas. / In last years, organic materials have won great interest in areas involving non-linear optical spectroscopy. This is due to the fact that the materials have considerable non-linear optical effects, are easy to synthesize, and have photophysical and photochemical properties that make them capable of being used in a wide range of possible applications. Among the organic materials, it is possible to highlight Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines. The synthesis of these materials enables a large number of distinct classes or groups, which can be distinguished by their peripheral structures and / or metal ions that can be inserted into the macrocycles. It results in changes of its optical properties, that is, replacing the chemical structures of such Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines, it is possible to tune its optical properties, and thus, according to these properties, to discriminate in which applications they can be used. Such materials, in view of their photophysical properties, can be used as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy, solar cells, optical limiters or photobactericides among others. Thus, in this Master\'s Dissertation, a linear and nonlinear spectroscopic characterization of these materials is carried out in order to determine specific optical properties that can be employed in the cited applications. For this spectroscopic characterization, linear and nonlinear spectroscopy techniques were employed, among them the Z-Scan technique was employed in three distinct configurations (Z-Scan by Single Pulse, by Pulse Train and by Supercontinuum White Light) for determination of absorptions of excited states. Fluorescence lifetimes, radiative decay and internal conversion times, single and triple triplet (fundamental and excited) and quantum efficiencies (fluorescence, internal conversion, and triplet formation) were the parameters determined, and with these parameters, it was possible to understand how changes in the chemical structures (peripheral and metallic ions) modify considerable the optical properties of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines.

Ce travail porte sur la synthèse et l’évaluation de systèmes pi-conjugués en tant matériaux actifs pour des dispositifs opto(électroniques). Un premier chapitre décrit une série d’oligothiophènes cruciformes et leur évaluation dans des dispositifs électrochromes. Le second chapitre décrit la synthèse d’accepteurs moléculaires à base de benzodithiophène et l’analyse de leur potentialités comme matériaux accepteurs dans des cellules solaires organiques. La plus large part du travail porte sur l’analyse des relations structure-propriétés d’une série de petites molécules push-pull comportant un groupe donneur triphénylamine (TPA) relié à un groupe accepteur par un espaceur thiényl. Une première étape a consisté à remplacer l’un des cycles phényles de la TPA par des groupes aromatiques tels que p-fluorophényle, anthryle et naphtyle. Ces modifications ont peu d’influence sur les propriétés électroniques de la molécule mais induisent de large variations des propriétés de transport de charge et de conversion photovoltaïque des matériaux correspondants. Au cours d’une seconde étape l’un des groupes phényles de la TPA a été remplacé par des chaînes alkyle, perfluoroalkyle et oligo(oxyethylene). Les résultats de diffraction X, spectroscopie d’absorption et de fluorescence, génération de second harmonique et électrochimie démontrent que certaines de ces molécules présentent des propriétés d’émission contrôlées par agrégation tandis que les matériaux correspondants se réorganisent spontanément à l’état solide sous forme d’agrégats H ou J dotés de propriétés de transport de charges et de conversion photovoltaïque fortement améliorées et de propriétés d’absorption, d’émission et de génération de second harmonique mécaniquement modulables. / This work deals with the design, synthesis and evaluation of molecular pi-conjugated systems as active materials for (opto)electronics devices. A short first chapter describes three X-shaped oligothiophenes, thecharacterization of their structure and properties and a first evaluation of their performances in electrochromic devices. The second chapter describes the synthesis of molecular acceptors based on a benzodithiophene and the analysis of their potentialities when combined with molecular donors in organic solar cells.The major part of the work is focused on the analysis of structure-properties relationships of a series of smallpush-pull molecules involving di- or tri-arylamine donorblocks linked to an acceptor group by a thienyl bridge. In a first step, a phenyl ring of triphenylamine (TPA) is replaced by p-fluorophenyl, anthryl and naphtyl groups.Optical and electrochemical results show that substitution has little effect at the molecular level but can markedly affect solid-state properties with in particular an improvement of charge-transport and short-circuit current density of solar cells based on these donor materials.In a second step, a phenyl ring of TPA is replaced by alkyl, perfluoroalkyl and oligo(oxyethylene) chains. Results of X-ray diffraction, absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies, second harmonic generation, and electrochemistry demonstrate that some of these molecules under go aggregation controlled photoluminescence emission wave length while the corresponding materials spontaneous lyre organize in the solid-state to form either H or Jaggregates with enhanced charge mobility, photovoltaic conversion efficiency and mechanically-induced chromism, fluorochromism and NLO-chromism.

Nos últimos anos, materiais orgânicos tem ganhado grande interesse em áreas que envolvem espectroscopia óptica não linear. Isso se dá devido aos materiais possuirem consideráveis efeitos ópticos não lineares, apresentarem facilidade de síntese e possuirem propriedades fotofísicas e fotoquímicas que os tornam capazes de serem empregados em um vasto número de possíveis aplicações. Entre os materiais orgânicos, é possível destacar as Porfirinas e Ftalocianinas. A síntese desses materiais possibilita um grande número de classes ou grupos distintos, os quais podem ser distinguidos por suas estruturas periféricas e/ou íons metálicos que podem ser inseridos no interior dos macrociclos. Isso resulta em alterações das suas propriedades ópticas, ou seja, através de alterações das estruturas químicas das Porfirinas e Ftalocianinas é possível modelar suas propriedades ópticas, e assim, de acordo com essas propriedades, discriminar em quais aplicações podem ser empregados. Tais materiais, tendo em vista suas propriedades fotofísicas, podem ser empregados como fotossensitizadores na terapia fotodinâmica, células solares, limitadores ópticos ou fotobactericidas entre outras mais. Sendo assim, nesta Dissertação de Mestrado é realizado uma caracterização espectroscópica linear e não linear desses materiais, para assim deterinar propriedades ópticas específicas que podem ser empregadas nas aplicações citadas. Para tal caracterização espectroscópica, foram empregadas técnicas de espectroscopia linear e não linear, dentre elas a técnica de Varredura-Z foi empregada em três configurações distintas (Varredura-Z por Pulso Único, por Trem de Pulsos e por Luz Branca Supercontínua) para determinação de absorções de estados excitados. Tempos de vida de fluorescência, tempos de decaimento radiativo e de conversão interna, seções de choque de absorção de estado singleto e tripleto (fundamental e excitado) e eficiências quânticas (fluorescência, conversão interna e converção para tripleto) foram os parâmetros determinados e, assim, através desses parâmetros, foi possível entender como alterações nas estruturas químicas (periféricas e íons metálicos) influenciam consideravelmente as propriedades de Porfirinas e Ftalocianinas. / In last years, organic materials have won great interest in areas involving non-linear optical spectroscopy. This is due to the fact that the materials have considerable non-linear optical effects, are easy to synthesize, and have photophysical and photochemical properties that make them capable of being used in a wide range of possible applications. Among the organic materials, it is possible to highlight Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines. The synthesis of these materials enables a large number of distinct classes or groups, which can be distinguished by their peripheral structures and / or metal ions that can be inserted into the macrocycles. It results in changes of its optical properties, that is, replacing the chemical structures of such Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines, it is possible to tune its optical properties, and thus, according to these properties, to discriminate in which applications they can be used. Such materials, in view of their photophysical properties, can be used as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy, solar cells, optical limiters or photobactericides among others. Thus, in this Master\'s Dissertation, a linear and nonlinear spectroscopic characterization of these materials is carried out in order to determine specific optical properties that can be employed in the cited applications. For this spectroscopic characterization, linear and nonlinear spectroscopy techniques were employed, among them the Z-Scan technique was employed in three distinct configurations (Z-Scan by Single Pulse, by Pulse Train and by Supercontinuum White Light) for determination of absorptions of excited states. Fluorescence lifetimes, radiative decay and internal conversion times, single and triple triplet (fundamental and excited) and quantum efficiencies (fluorescence, internal conversion, and triplet formation) were the parameters determined, and with these parameters, it was possible to understand how changes in the chemical structures (peripheral and metallic ions) modify considerable the optical properties of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines.

Depuis plusieurs années, le laboratoire SPCTS de Limoges a focalisé son attention sur l’étude des matériaux tellurates (à base de cations Te6+), dont les propriétés optiques non-linéaires du troisième ordre (χ(3)) doivent être encore supérieures à celles des matériaux tellurites (à base de cations Te4+) traditionnellement considérés. En effet, les calculs ab initio montrent que les propriétés non-linéaires d’ordre trois du composé tellurate TeO3-β sont environ 10 fois plus élevées que celles du composé tellurite TeO2-α. A ce titre, une étude théorique du système (1-x)TeO2+ xTeO3 a été entreprise afin de comprendre l’origine structurale de cette importante différence de propriétés. Les résultats de cette étude ont montré que cette différence était liée à l’augmentation du « degré de polymérisation » et à la diminution du gap énergétique associées à chacune des phases de ce système et ce, avec le taux croissant en cations Te6+. Ces conclusions ont ensuite été généralisées à travers une étude plus globale menée sur un grand nombre de composés oxydes de type MnOm et MnTepOm. Une attention particulière a été portée aux propriétés non-linéaires du composé TeO3-β. Une étude expérimentale puis théorique a permis de mettre en évidence que ses exceptionnelles propriétés non-linéaires étaient directement corrélées aux propriétés des liaisons chimiques le constituant. Compte tenu de l’ensemble de ces résultats, la synthèse de verres tellurates a été envisagée à travers l’étude du système TeO2-Mg3TeO6. Outre leurs forts intérêts pour l’optique, les matériaux tellurates sont aussi de bons candidats en vue d’une intégration dans des dispositifs de type « Low Temperature Cofired Ceramics ». C’est pourquoi, l’étude du composé Bi6Te2O15 a été entreprise. A cet égard, son protocole de frittage a été optimisé au moyen de la technologie « Spark Plasma Sintering » (SPS), et ses propriétés diélectriques mesurées se sont révélées prometteuses. / For several years, SPCTS laboratory of Limoges has focalized his attention to the study of tellurate materials (Te6+ cations-based compounds), whose third order non-linear optical properties (χ(3)) must be superior to those of tellurite materials (Te4+ cations-based compounds) traditionally considered. Indeed, ab initio calculations show those the third order non-linear optical properties of the TeO3-β tellurate compound are about 10 time higher than that of TeO2-α tellurite phase. In this connection, the theoretical study of the (1-x)TeO2+ xTeO3 system was undertaken in order to understand the structural origins of these properties. Results have shown that the increasing of the “polymerization degree” and the decreasing of the energetical gap associated to each structure of this system, with the increasing ratio of Te6+ cations were at the origin of this change of properties. These conclusions were generalized through the study of many oxide compounds such as MnOm and MnTepOm. A special attention was paid to the non-linear properties of the TeO3-β compound. Experimental and theoretical studies allowed highlighting that its exceptional properties were correlated to its chemical bonding properties. Taking into account all these results, the synthesis of tellurate glasses was investigated, through the study of the TeO2-Mg3TeO6 binary system. Besides their great interest for optical applications, tellurate materials are also good candidates for LTCC applications. Therefore the study of the Bi6Te2O15 compound was also managed in this work. Its sintering process was optimized using the “Spark Plasma Sintering” technology, and its dielectric properties measurements have evidenced very promising values.

The development of integrated quantum photonics is integral to many areas of quantum information science, in particular linear optical quantum computing. In this context, a diversity of physical systems is being explored and thus versatility and adaptability are important prerequisites for any candidate platform. Silicon oxynitride is a promising material because its refractive index can be varied over a wide range. This dissertation describes the development of silicon oxynitride waveguides for applications in the field of integrated quantum photonics. The project consisted of three stages: design, characterisation, and application. First, the parameter space was studied through simulations. The structures were optimised to achieve low-loss devices with a small footprint at a wavelength of 900 nm. Buried channel waveguides with a cross-section of 1.6 ?m x 1.6 ?m and a core (cladding) refractive index of 1.545 (1.505) were chosen. Second, following their fabrication with plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition, electron beam lithography, and reactive ion etching, the waveguides were characterised. The refractive index was shown to be tunable from the silica to the silicon nitride regime. Optimised tapers significantly improved the coupling efficiency. The minimum bend radius was measured to be less than 2 mm. Propagation losses as low as 1.45 dB cm-1 were achieved. Directional couplers with coupling ratios ranging from 0 to 1 were realised. Third, building blocks for linear optical quantum computing were demonstrated. Reconfigurable quantum circuits consisting of Mach-Zehnder interferometers with near perfect visibilities were fabricated along with a four-port switch. The potential of quantum speedup was illustrated by carrying out the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm with a fidelity of 100 % using on-demand single photons from a quantum dot. This dissertation presents the first implementation of tunable Mach-Zehnder interferometers, which act on single photons, based on silicon oxynitride waveguides. Furthermore, for the first time silicon oxynitride photonic quantum circuits were operated with on-demand single photons. Accordingly, this work has created a platform for the development of integrated quantum photonics.