Efficient generation of near infra-red single photons from the zero-phonon line of a single molecule

TL;DR

This paper presents a high-efficiency, triggered source of near-infrared single photons from a single molecule's zero-phonon line, utilizing a solid immersion lens at cryogenic temperatures for quantum optics applications.

Contribution

The work demonstrates a novel method for generating indistinguishable single photons using a single molecule and a solid immersion lens at cryogenic temperatures.

Findings

Achieved high collection efficiency of single photons.

Operated at a high repetition rate.

Produced photons suitable for quantum information processing.

Abstract

Using the zero-phonon line (ZPL) emission of a single molecule, we realized a triggered source of near-infra-red (lambda=785 nm) single photons at a high repetition rate. A Weierstrass solid immersion lens is used to image single molecules with an optical resolution of 300 nm (~0.4*lambda) and a high collection efficiency. Because dephasing of the transition dipole due to phonons vanishes at liquid helium temperatures, our source is attractive for the efficient generation of single indistinguishable photons.