Numerical optimization of a nanophotonic cavity by machine learning for near-unity photon indistinguishability at room temperature

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a numerical design and machine learning optimization of a nanophotonic cavity that achieves near-unity photon indistinguishability and high efficiency at room temperature, advancing quantum photonic integration.

Contribution

It introduces a hybrid slot-Bragg nanocavity design optimized via machine learning to enhance photon indistinguishability and coupling efficiency at room temperature.

Findings

Achieves near-unity photon indistinguishability (I) and high coupling efficiency ({eta}) at RT.

Reduces modal volume by nearly three times through machine learning optimization.

Provides a design compatible with current fabrication technology and nanometer-level emitter positioning.

Abstract

Room-temperature (RT), on-chip deterministic generation of indistinguishable photons coupled to photonic integrated circuits is key for quantum photonic applications. Nevertheless, high indistinguishability (I) at RT is difficult to obtain due to the intrinsic dephasing of most deterministic single-photon sources (SPS). Here we present a numerical demonstration of the design and optimization of a hybrid slot-Bragg nanophotonic cavity that achieves theoretical near-unity I and high coupling efficiency (\b{eta}) at RT for a variety of singlephoton emitters. Our numerical simulations predict modal volumes in the order of 10-3 ({\lambda}/2n)3 , allowing for strong coupling of quantum photonic emitters that can be heterogeneously integrated. We show that high I and \b{eta} should be possible by fine-tuning the quality factor (Q) depending on the intrinsic properties of the single-photon emitter. Furthermore, we perform a machine learning optimization based on the combination of a deep neural network and a genetic algorithm (GA) to further decrease the modal volume by almost three times while relaxing the tight dimensions of the slot width required for strong coupling. The optimized device has a slot width of 20 nm. The design requires fabrication resolution in the limit of the current state-ofthe-art technology. Also, the condition for high I and \b{eta} requires a positioning accuracy of the quantum emitter at the nanometer level. Although the proposal is not a scalable technology, it can be suitable for experimental demonstration of single photon operation