On-chip linear and nonlinear control of single molecules coupled to a nanoguide

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates on-chip control of single molecules coupled to nanoguides, enabling scalable quantum photonic systems through linear and nonlinear optical manipulation.

Contribution

It introduces a nanoguide platform for single-molecule coupling with integrated control mechanisms, advancing scalable quantum photonic technologies.

Findings

Coherent spectroscopy of single molecules coupled to nanoguides.

External electrodes and optical beams can switch light propagation via Stark effect and nonlinear processes.

The architecture supports investigation of many-body phenomena and quantum circuits.

Abstract

While experiments with one or two quantum emitters have become routine in various laboratories, scalable platforms for efficient optical coupling of many quantum systems remain elusive. To address this issue, we report on chip-based systems made of one-dimensional subwavelength dielectric waveguides (nanoguides) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules. After discussing the design and fabrication requirements, we present data on coherent linear and nonlinear spectroscopy of single molecules coupled to a nanoguide mode. Our results show that external microelectrodes as well as optical beams can be used to switch the propagation of light in a nanoguide via the Stark effect and a nonlinear optical process, respectively. The presented nanoguide architecture paves the way for the investigation of many-body phenomena and polaritonic states and can be readily extended to more complex geometries for the realization of quantum integrated photonic circuits.