Active demultiplexing of single-photons from a solid-state source

TL;DR

This paper presents an active temporal-to-spatial demultiplexing scheme for single photons from a solid-state source, demonstrating scalable routing with potential for high-rate multi-photon quantum experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a scalable active demultiplexing method for solid-state single-photon sources using integrated electro-optic waveguides, advancing quantum photonic technology.

Findings

Demonstrated six-photon rate three orders of magnitude higher than SPDC sources.

Achieved quasi-polynomial scaling in photon routing.

Enabled platform for intermediate quantum computation protocols.

Abstract

A scheme for active temporal-to-spatial demultiplexing of single-photons generated by a solid-state source is introduced. The scheme scales quasi-polynomially with photon number, providing a viable technological path for routing n photons in the one temporal stream from a single emitter to n different spatial modes. The active demultiplexing is demonstrated using a state-of-the-art photon source---a quantum-dot deterministically coupled to a micropillar cavity---and a custom-built demultiplexer---a network of electro-optically reconfigurable waveguides monolithically integrated in a lithium niobate chip. The measured demultiplexer performance can enable a six-photon rate three orders of magnitude higher than the equivalent heralded SPDC source, providing a platform for intermediate quantum computation protocols.