High extraction efficiency source of photon pairs based on a quantum dot embedded in a broadband micropillar cavity

TL;DR

This paper presents a broadband micropillar cavity device that efficiently extracts photon pairs from a quantum dot with a record efficiency of nearly 70%, surpassing traditional Purcell-based methods and scalable for quantum technology applications.

Contribution

The work introduces a novel broadband micropillar cavity design that significantly improves photon pair extraction efficiency from quantum dots, with potential for further optimization.

Findings

Achieved 69.4% extraction efficiency for photon pairs.

Suppressed emission into non-cavity modes to enhance efficiency.

Device scalability and potential for 85% efficiency.

Abstract

The generation of photon pairs in single quantum dots is based on a process that is, in its nature, deterministic. However, an efficient extraction of these photon pairs from a high-index semiconductor host material requires engineering of the photonic environment. We report on a micropillar-based device featuring an extraction efficiency of 69.4(10)$\%$ that is achieved by harnessing a broadband operation suitable for extraction of photon pairs emitted from a single quantum dot. Opposing the approaches that rely solely on Purcell enhancement to realize the enhancement of the extraction efficiency, our solution exploits a suppression of the emission into the modes other than the cavity mode. Our technological implementation requires modest fabrication effort enabling higher device yields that can be scaled up to meet the growing needs of quantum technologies. Furthermore, the design of the device can be further optimized to allow for an extraction efficiency of 85$\%$.