A Solid-State Source of Single and Entangled Photons at Diamond SiV-Center Transitions Operating at 80K

Nano Lett. 2023 Jul 12;23(13):6109-6115. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01570. Epub 2023 Jun 28.

Abstract

Large-scale quantum networks require the implementation of long-lived quantum memories as stationary nodes interacting with qubits of light. Epitaxially grown quantum dots hold great potential for the on-demand generation of single and entangled photons with high purity and indistinguishability. Coupling these emitters to memories with long coherence times enables the development of hybrid nanophotonic devices that incorporate the advantages of both systems. Here we report the first GaAs/AlGaAs quantum dots grown by the droplet etching and nanohole infilling method, emitting single photons with a narrow wavelength distribution (736.2 ± 1.7 nm) close to the zero-phonon line of silicon-vacancy centers. Polarization entangled photons are generated via the biexciton-exciton cascade with a fidelity of (0.73 ± 0.09). High single photon purity is maintained from 4 K (g(2)(0) = 0.07 ± 0.02) up to 80 K (g(2)(0) = 0.11 ± 0.01), therefore making this hybrid system technologically attractive for real-world quantum photonic applications.

Keywords: GaAs semiconductor quantum dots; SiV zero phonon line; diamond color centers; entangled photon pairs; liquid nitrogen temperature; single photons.