Non-classical higher-order photon correlations with a quantum dot strongly coupled to a photonic-crystal nanocavity

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the use of third- and fourth-order autocorrelation functions to detect non-classical light emitted from a quantum dot in a photonic-crystal nanocavity, revealing higher-order photon correlations beyond traditional second-order analysis.

Contribution

It introduces the use of higher-order autocorrelation functions, specifically $g^{(3)}$ and $g^{(4)}$, to better identify non-classical light and three-photon states in a quantum dot-cavity system.

Findings

Higher-order autocorrelation functions provide clearer non-classicality signatures.

Demonstrated bunching in the fourth-order autocorrelation function.

Compared $g^{(3)}(0,0)$ with $g^{(2)}(0)$ for non-classicality detection.

Abstract

We use the third- and fourth-order autocorrelation functions $g^{(3)}(\tau_1,\tau_2)$ and $g^{(4)}(\tau_1,\tau_2, \tau_3)$ to detect the non-classical character of the light transmitted through a photonic-crystal nanocavity containing a strongly-coupled quantum dot probed with a train of coherent light pulses. We contrast the value of $g^{(3)}(0, 0)$ with the conventionally used $g^{(2)}(0)$ and demonstrate that in addition to being necessary for detecting two-photon states emitted by a low-intensity source, $g^{(3)}$ provides a more clear indication of the non-classical character of a light source. We also present preliminary data that demonstrates bunching in the fourth-order autocorrelation function $g^{(4)}(\tau_1,\tau_2, \tau_3)$ as the first step toward detecting three-photon states.