Exploring Dephasing of a Solid-State Quantum Emitter via Time- and Temperature-Dependent Hong-Ou-Mandel Experiments

We probe the indistinguishability of photons emitted by a semiconductor quantum dot (QD) via time- and temperature-dependent two-photon interference (TPI) experiments. An increase in temporal separation between consecutive photon emission events reveals a decrease in TPI visibility on a nanosecond time scale, theoretically described by a non-Markovian noise process in agreement with fluctuating charge traps in the QD's vicinity. Phonon-induced pure dephasing results in a decrease in TPI visibility from (96±4)% at 10 K to a vanishing visibility at 40 K. In contrast to Michelson-type measurements, our experiments provide direct access to the time-dependent coherence of a quantum emitter on a nanosecond time scale.

Operating single quantum emitters with a compact Stirling cryocooler

The development of an easy-to-operate light source emitting single photons has become a major driving force in the emerging field of quantum information technology. Here, we report on the application of a compact and user-friendly Stirling cryocooler in the field of nanophotonics. The Stirling cryocooler is used to operate a single quantum emitter constituted of a semiconductor quantum dot (QD) at a base temperature below 30 K. Proper vibration decoupling of the cryocooler and its surrounding enables free-space micro-photoluminescence spectroscopy to identify and analyze different charge-carrier states within a single quantum dot. As an exemplary application in quantum optics, we perform a Hanbury-Brown and Twiss experiment demonstrating a strong suppression of multi-photon emission events with g((2))(0) < 0.04 from this Stirling-cooled single quantum emitter under continuous wave excitation. Comparative experiments performed on the same quantum dot in a liquid helium (LHe)-flow cryostat show almost identical values of g((2))(0) for both configurations at a given temperature. The results of this proof of principle experiment demonstrate that low-vibration Stirling cryocoolers that have so far been considered exotic to the field of nanophotonics are an attractive alternative to expensive closed-cycle cryostats or LHe-flow cryostats, which could pave the way for the development of high-quality table-top non-classical light sources.

Single site-controlled In(Ga)As/GaAs quantum dots: growth, properties and device integration

Results obtained by an advanced growth of site-controlled quantum dots (SCQDs) on pre-patterned nanoholes and their integration into both photonic resonators and nanoelectronic memories are summarized. A specific technique has been pursued to improve the optical quality of single SCQDs. Quantum dot (QD) layers have been vertically stacked but spectrally detuned for single SCQD studies. Thereby, the average emission linewidth of single QDs could be reduced from 2.3 meV for SCQDs in a first QD layer close to the etched nanoholes down to 600 microeV in the third InAs QD layer. Accurate SCQD nucleation on large QD distances is maintained by vertical strain induced QD coupling throughout the QD stacks. Record narrow linewidths of individual SCQDs down to approximately 110 microeV have been obtained. Experiments performed on coupled photonic SCQD-resonator devices show an enhancement of spontaneous emission. SCQDs have also been integrated deterministically in high electron mobility heterostructures and flash memory operation at room temperature has been observed.

The role of optical excitation power on the emission spectra of a strongly coupled quantum dot-micropillar system

A strongly coupled quantum dot-micropillar cavity system is studied under variation of the excitation power. The characteristic double peak spectral shape of the emission with a vacuum Rabi splitting of 85 microeV at low excitation transforms gradually into a single broad emission peak when the excitation power is increased. Modelling the experimental data by a recently published formalism [Laussy et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 083601 (2008)] yields a transition from strong coupling towards weak coupling which is mainly attributed to an excitation power driven decrease of the exciton-photon coupling constant.

Demonstration of strong coupling via electro-optical tuning in high-quality QD-micropillar systems

We demonstrate electro-optical tuning of single quantum dots (QDs) embedded in high-quality (high-Q) micropillar cavities by exploiting the quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE). Combining electrically contacted high-Q micropillars and large In(0.3) Ga(0.7)As QDs with high oscillator strength facilitates the realization of strong coupling. In our experiments a single QD exciton was electrically tuned on resonance with a cavity mode of a micropillar with 1.9 microm diameter and a quality-factor (Q-factor) of 14,000 enabling the observation of strong coupling with a vacuum Rabi-Splitting of 63 microeV.