Observation of non-Markovian dynamics of a single quantum dot in a micropillar cavity

TL;DR

This paper reports the first quantitative experimental and theoretical study of non-Markovian dynamics in a single quantum dot coupled to a micropillar cavity, revealing non-exponential decay behaviors.

Contribution

It provides a detailed measurement and modeling of non-Markovian effects in a solid-state cavity QED system with no free parameters.

Findings

Observation of non-Markovian dynamics at resonance

Non-exponential decay behavior confirmed

Excellent agreement between experiment and dissipative Jaynes-Cummings model

Abstract

We measure the detuning-dependent dynamics of a quasi-resonantly excited single quantum dot coupled to a micropillar cavity. The system is modeled with the dissipative Jaynes-Cummings model where all experimental parameters are determined by explicit measurements. We observe non-Markovian dynamics when the quantum dot is tuned into resonance with the cavity leading to a non-exponential decay in time. Excellent agreement between experiment and theory is observed with no free parameters providing the first quantitative description of an all-solid-state cavity QED system based on quantum dot emitters.