On-chip deterministic operation of quantum dots in dual-mode waveguides for a plug-and-play single-photon source

A deterministic source of coherent single photons is an enabling device for quantum information processing. Quantum dots in nanophotonic structures have been employed as excellent sources of single photons with the promise of scaling up towards multiple photons and emitters. It remains a challenge to implement deterministic resonant optical excitation of the quantum dot required for generating coherent single photons, since residual light from the excitation laser should be suppressed without compromising source efficiency and scalability. Here, we present a planar nanophotonic circuit that enables deterministic pulsed resonant excitation of quantum dots using two orthogonal waveguide modes for separating the laser and the emitted photons. We report a coherent and stable single-photon source that simultaneously achieves high-purity (g⁽²⁾(0) = 0.020 ± 0.005), high-indistinguishability (V = 96 ± 2%), and >80% coupling efficiency into the waveguide. Such ‘plug-and-play’ single-photon source can be integrated with on-chip optical networks implementing photonic quantum processors.

Resonantly-excited quantum-dot-based single photon sources feature very high purity, but also limited efficiency due to the need to suppress the residual pump. Here, the authors demonstrate a workaround, performing optical pumping and signal collection in two orthogonal modes inside a nanophotonic circuit.