Molecules as Sources for Indistinguishable Single Photons

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the triggered generation of indistinguishable single photons from organic molecules in cryogenic conditions, advancing quantum information processing and integrated photon source development.

Contribution

It introduces a method to produce Fourier-limited, indistinguishable photons from solid-state molecules with spectral tuning, enabling scalable quantum photonic applications.

Findings

Successful generation of indistinguishable photons from separate molecules

Spectral matching achieved via Stark effect tuning

Potential for integrated quantum photonic devices

Abstract

We report on the triggered generation of indistinguishable photons by solid-state single-photon sources in two separate cryogenic laser scanning microscopes. Organic fluorescent molecules were used as emitters and investigated by means of high resolution laser spectroscopy. Continuous-wave photon correlation measurements on individual molecules proved the isolation of single quantum systems. By using frequency selective pulsed excitation of the molecule and efficient spectral filtering of its emission, we produced triggered Fourier-limited single photons. In a further step, local electric fields were applied to match the emission wavelengths of two different molecules via Stark effect. Identical single photons are indispensible for the realization of various quantum information processing schemes proposed. The solid-state approach presented here prepares the way towards the integration of multiple bright sources of single photons on a single chip.