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Optics Express

Twin-nanofiber structure for a highly efficient single-photon collection

Luqing Shao, Hao Wu, Wei Fang, Limin Tong

Published Feb 25, 2022• 9 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Optical nanofiber-based single-photon source has attracted considerable interest due to its property of seamless integration with a single-mode fiber. With nanostructure engraved in the nanofiber, the single-photon collection efficiency can be greatly boosted with enhanced interaction between the single quantum emitter and the guided light. However, the prerequisite nanofabrication processes introduce complexities and extra loss. Here, we demonstrate that by simply placing a quantum emitter in the gap of two parallel nanofibers, single-photon coupling efficiency may reach 54.2%. Our numerical simulation results indicate that photon coupling efficiency of such simple structure is insensitive to the discrepancy in nanofiber radii, which further reduces the difficulties in device fabrication.

DOI
10.1364/oe.454616

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In this talk, our recent activities for nanofiber-integrated single light emitters for photonic quantum network. First, we report the coupling of various single light emitters, including diamond nanocrystals with color centers and hexagonal Boron Nitride flakes, to ultra-thin tapered optical fibers (nano optical fiber) with a diameter as small as 300 nm, keeping the transmittance of the fiber more than 90%. Second, for further improvement of the coupling efficiency, we introduce our development of nanofiber Bragg cavity (NFBC) with the mode volume of under 1 mu m^3 and repeatable tuning capability over more than 20 nm at visible wavelengths. The improvement of Q factor using He-ion beam milling will also be reported.

•Aug 20, 2020•0 citations
Optical nanofiber-based single-photon source has attracted considerable interest due to its property of seamless integration with a single-mode fiber. With nanostructure engraved in the nanofiber, the single-photon collection efficiency can be greatly boosted with enhanced interaction between the single quantum emitter and the guided light. However, the prerequisite nanofabrication processes introduce complexities and extra loss. Here, we demonstrate that by simply placing a quantum emitter in the gap of two parallel nanofibers, single-photon coupling efficiency may reach 54.2%. Our numerical simulation results indicate that photon coupling efficiency of such simple structure is insensitive to the discrepancy in nanofiber radii, which further reduces the difficulties in device fabrication.
Abstract We report on a simulation of a nanophotonic cavity constructed by designing periodic holes on an optical nanofiber to realize light–matter interaction. The cavity is designed using finite-difference time-domain simulations to maximize the coupling of spontaneous emission from a quantum emitter into fiber-guided modes. We systematically analyze the dependence of spontaneous emission on the quantum emitter position, polarization, and the grating strength (number of periods). We show that coupling efficiencies as high as 87% and 83% can be realized for a dipole emitter placed at the center of the nanofiber with polarization perpendicular ( x -pol) and parallel ( y -pol) to the hole-axis, respectively. This system may attract various quantum photonic applications based on single-photon sources.
Single-photon sources are important elements in quantum optics and quantum information science. It is crucial that such sources be able to couple photons emitted from a single quantum emitter to a single propagating mode, preferably to the guided mode of a single-mode optical fiber, with high efficiency. Various photonic devices have been successfully demonstrated to efficiently couple photons from an emitter to a single mode of a cavity or a waveguide. However, efficient coupling of these devices to optical fibers is sometimes challenging. Here we show that up to 38% of photons from an emitter can be directly coupled to a single-mode optical fiber by utilizing the flat tip of a silica nanofiber. With the aid of a metallic mirror, the efficiency can be increased to 76%. The use of a silicon waveguide further increases the efficiency to 87%. This simple device can be applied to various quantum emitters.
Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are promising solid-state quantum emitters that can be utilized for photonic quantum applications. Various diamond nanophotonic devices have been fabricated for efficient extraction of single photons emitted from NV centers to a single guided mode. However, for constructing scalable quantum networks, further efficient coupling of single photons to a guided mode of a single-mode fiber (SMF) is indispensable and a difficult challenge. Here, we propose a novel efficient hybrid system between an optical nanofiber and a cylindrical-structured diamond nanowire. The maximum coupling efficiency as high as 75% for the sum of both fiber ends is obtained by numerical simulations. The proposed hybrid system will provide a simple and efficient interface between solid-state quantum emitters and a SMF suitable for constructing scalable quantum networks.
We present a novel approach to enhance the spontaneous emission rate of single quantum emitters in an optical nanofiber-based cavity by introducing a narrow air-filled groove into the cavity. Our results show that the Purcell factor for single quantum emitters inside the groove of the nanofiber-based cavity can be at least six times greater than for such an emitter on the fiber surface when using an optimized cavity mode and groove width. Moreover, the coupling efficiency of single quantum emitters into the guided mode of this nanofiber-based cavity can reach up to ∼80% with only 35 cavity-grating periods. This new system has the potential to act as an all-fiber platform to realize efficient coupling of photons from single emitters into an optical fiber for quantum information applications.
The development of integrated quantum technologies relies on efficient single-photon sources and deterministic quantum operations. Solid-state quantum emitters coupled to nanophotonic structures present a promising solution. This work investigates color centers in nanodiamonds,particularly Germanium Vacancy (GeV) [1], Silicon Vacancy (SiV), and Magnesium Vacancy (MgV) centers, a novel, understudied emitter [2], at both room and cryogenic temperatures. These nanodiamonds are chosen for their stability and superior coherence properties at cryogenic conditions. To collect their emission we have successfully deposited a single GeV- nanodiamond on tapered optical nanofibers by gently contacting a diluted droplet to the nanofiber [3], demonstrating an average coupling of 15% into a conventional optical fiber through the confined evanescent field of the nanofiber mode and single photon emission. Building on this achievement, we aim to study the system at cryogenic temperatures, which should enable the demonstration of efficient and indistinguishable single photons coupling to conventional optical fibers.Current collection efficiencies are intrinsically limited to 30% with the nanofiber[4], and improving light-matter coupling efficiency remains a key goal for high-performance single-photon sources and more advanced applications.To achieve this, we are investigating a newly developed technique [5]: the deterministic fabrication of dielectric and plasmonic nanostructures directly on the nanofiber surface using an “electron beam induced deposition” (EBID). The precision and versatility of this technique openthe way to different applications: Purcell enhancement of the quantum emitter emission using metallic nanoantennas and efficient light-matter coupling using dielectric structures. Our first calculation shown that optimizing the composition, geometry, and placement of these nanostructures a simple pattern of carbon pillars around the emitter should increase coupling efficiency up to 69% while maintaining high transmission in the nanofiber. We also demonstratethe fabrication of those nanostructures on top of the nanofiber.This work advances integrated nanophotonic devices for single-photon sources.[1] M. Nahra et al.,Single germanium vacancy centers in nanodia-monds with bulk-like spectral stability, AVS Quantum Science3(1), (2021).[2] E. Corte et al, Magnesium-Vacancy Optical Centers in Diamond, ACS Photonics, 10(1), p101-110, (2023)[3] Pierini et al. Highly Photostable Perovskite Nanocubes : TowardIntegrated Single Photon Sources Based on Tapered Nanofibers.ACS Photonics, 7(8), p.2265-2272, (2020).[4] Fujiwara et al., Highly efficient coupling of photons from na-noemitters into single-mode optical fibers, Nano Letters, 11(10),4362–4365, (2011).[5] A.Balena et al, Deterministic Bottom-Up Fabrication of Plasmonic Nanostructures on OpticalNanofibers via Blurred Electron Beam Deposition (soon to be published in Advance Material).
In this talk, our recent activities for nanofiber-integrated single light emitters for photonic quantum network. First, we report the coupling of various single light emitters, including diamond nanocrystals with color centers and hexagonal Boron Nitride flakes, to ultra-thin tapered optical fibers (nano optical fiber) with a diameter as small as 300 nm, keeping the transmittance of the fiber more than 90%. Second, for further improvement of the coupling efficiency, we introduce our development of nanofiber Bragg cavity (NFBC) with the mode volume of under 1 mu m^3 and repeatable tuning capability over more than 20 nm at visible wavelengths. The improvement of Q factor using He-ion beam milling will also be reported.