A Bright Source of Telecom Single Photons Based on Quantum Frequency Conversion

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates quantum frequency conversion of photons from quantum dots to telecom wavelengths, enabling integration with fibre networks for quantum communication with high efficiency and low noise.

Contribution

The authors present a novel scheme converting near-infrared photons from quantum dots to telecom wavelengths using difference frequency generation, suitable for fibre-based quantum networks.

Findings

Conversion efficiency of ~35% achieved.

Count rates approaching 1 MHz at 1550 nm.

Hong-Ou-Mandel visibility of 60%.

Abstract

On-demand indistinguishable single photon sources are essential for quantum networking and communication. Semiconductor quantum dots are among the most promising candidates, but their typical emission wavelength renders them unsuitable for use in fibre networks. Here, we present quantum frequency conversion of near-infrared photons from a bright quantum dot to the telecommunication C-band, allowing integration with existing fibre architectures. We use a custom-built, tunable 2400 nm seed laser to convert single photons from 942 nm to 1550 nm in a difference frequency generation process. We achieve an end-to-end conversion efficiency of $\sim$35%, demonstrate count rates approaching 1 MHz at 1550 nm with $g^{\left(2\right)}\left(0\right) = 0.04$, and achieve Hong-Ou-Mandel visibilities of 60%. We expect this scheme to be preferable to quantum dot sources directly emitting at telecom wavelengths for fibre based quantum networking.