Title: NIST Develops Integrated Photonic Device for On-Chip Single Photon Production
NIST researchers have developed an integrated photonic device that produces a pure stream of on-chip waveguide-bound indistinguishable single photons from the resonance fluorescence of a single quantum emitter embedded in a multimode on-chip waveguide. The device uses on-chip waveguide-bound resonant laser light to excite the quantum emitter, allowing for on-demand generation of indistinguishable waveguided single photons.
Key features of the device include:
1. A single-mode excitation waveguide that receives pump light and propagates resonant excitation light
2. A separation gap between the single-mode and multi-mode waveguides
3. A multi-mode intermediate waveguide that includes the quantum emitter and receives evanescent excitation light
4. A single-mode output waveguide that receives emitted single photons and propagates them as an emitted single photon stream
The new device offers several advantages over current laboratory methods, including:
1. More controlled optimization of single-photon stream purity
2. Simpler integration with on-chip, waveguide-coupled lasers
3. Improved efficiency and reduced excitation laser power leakage
While some excitation laser power may still leak into the single-photon output waveguide, the level of purity of the single-photon stream can be more carefully optimized compared to free-space excitation methods. This integrated photonic device represents a significant advancement in on-chip single photon production for quantum technologies.
Keywords: Photonic, Quantum emitter, Single-photons
