Highly efficient coupling of single photons using a pair of nanostructures

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates numerically that using a pair of nanostructures can significantly improve the efficiency of coupling single photons from a dipole source into guided modes, advancing quantum network technologies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel nanostructure pairing approach that enhances photon coupling efficiency, with detailed analysis of optimal configurations and parameters.

Findings

Maximum coupling efficiency ({ eta}p) of 56% into guided modes achieved.

Maximum coupling efficiency ({ eta}) of 87% from single dipole source.

Enhanced efficiency when DNT is near another DNT or DNW.

Abstract

We numerically report highly efficient coupling of single photons from a single dipole source (SDS) using a pair of nanostructures. The maximum coupling efficiency ({\eta}p) of 56%, into guided modes of a silica nanotip (SNT), is found when the SNT of radius 0.43 {\mu}m is placed in the vicinity of a diamond nanotip (DNT) and a diamond nanowire (DNW). Additionally, we found that varying the radius of the DNT/DNW does not significantly affect the {\eta}p-value. Furthermore, we investigate the coupling efficiency ({\eta}) of single photons from the SDS into guided modes of the DNT. The maximum {\eta}-value of 87% is found when the radially oriented SDS is positioned on the facet of the DNT of radius 0.4 {\mu}m. We found that the {\eta}p-value is enhanced when the DNT is placed in the vicinity of another DNT and the DNW. The present platform may open new possibilities in quantum networks.