Fast Purcell-enhanced single photon source in 1,550-nm telecom band from a resonant quantum dot-cavity coupling

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a record-fast, Purcell-enhanced single photon source at 1,550 nm using a quantum dot-cavity system, advancing telecom-band quantum communication technology.

Contribution

It presents the first realization of a nanocavity-enhanced single photon emitter in the 1,550-nm telecom band with significantly improved emission rate.

Findings

Enhanced emission rate by a factor of 5 at resonance

Achieved a record fast emission lifetime of 0.2 ns

Demonstrated anti-bunching indicating non-classical light

Abstract

High-bit-rate nanocavity-based single photon sources in the 1,550-nm telecom band are challenges facing the development of fibre-based long-haul quantum communication networks. Here we report a very fast single photon source in the 1,550-nm telecom band, which is achieved by a large Purcell enhancement that results from the coupling of a single InAs quantum dot and an InP photonic crystal nanocavity. At a resonance, the spontaneous emission rate was enhanced by a factor of 5 resulting a record fast emission lifetime of 0.2 ns at 1,550 nm. We also demonstrate that this emission exhibits an enhanced anti-bunching dip. This is the first realization of nanocavity-enhanced single photon emitters in the 1,550-nm telecom band. This coupled quantum dot cavity system in the telecom band thus provides a bright high-bit-rate non-classical single photon source that offers appealing novel opportunities for the development of a long-haul quantum telecommunication system via optical fibres.