Optical-nanofiber-based interface for single molecules

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a fiber-integrated system where single molecules are coupled to an optical nanofiber, enabling stable, scalable quantum interfaces without extra optical components, advancing quantum network technology.

Contribution

The work introduces a fully fiber-integrated platform coupling single molecules to nanofibers, facilitating scalable quantum interfaces with stable single-molecule emission.

Findings

Single molecules are excited and detected via nanofiber without extra optics.

The system is scalable and fiber-integrated, suitable for quantum networks.

Photostability is achieved through embedding in a crystal with inhomogeneous broadening.

Abstract

Optical interfaces for quantum emitters are a prerequisite for implementing quantum networks. Here, we couple single molecules to the guided modes of an optical nanofiber. The molecules are embedded within a crystal that provides photostability and, due to the inhomogeneous broadening, a means to spectrally address single molecules. Single molecules are excited and detected solely via the nanofiber interface without the requirement of additional optical access. In this way, we realize a fully fiber-integrated system that is scalable and may become a versatile constituent for quantum hybrid systems.