Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Kluwer Academic Publishers eBooks

Stable Solid-State Source of Single Photons

Patrick Zarda, Christian Kurtsiefer, Sonja Mayer, Harald Weinfurter

Published Feb 24, 2006• 52 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The controlled generation of single photons is mandatory for applications in quantum communication, in particular for secure quantum cryptography, and also for a number of fundamental problems in quantum optics. Here, we present a stable all solid-state source for single photons utilizing the fluorescence light from a single nitrogen-vacancy center (N-V center) in diamond.

DOI
10.1007/0-306-47114-0_49

Related papers

A robust all-solid-state source for single photons

Patrick Zarda, S. Mayer, Christian Kurtsiefer +1 more

Summary form only given. Summary from only given. The controlled generation of single photons is mandatory for new applications of quantum communication, in particular for truly secure quantum cryptography. Various solutions based on the fluorescence of single atom, ions or organic molecules have been demonstrated already. However, they are either rather difficult to perform, need expensive equipment or can generate only a very limited number of emissions. Here, we present an all-solid-state solution promising low costs and unprecedented stability.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Aug 29, 2005•2 citations

A single photon source based on NV centers in diamond nanocrystals

Juliane Bahe, Xiaoqing Zhou, Tobias Jan Kippenberg +4 more

The development of reliable devices to generate single photons is crucial for applications in quantum cryptography, as well as for fundamental quantum optics experiments. Due to their extremely high photostability at room temperature, optically active defects in solids, the so called color centers, are among the most promising candidates. Single NV (nitrogen-vacancy) centers in diamond have been demonstrated to be able to generate single photons and have already shown advantages compared to attenuated laser pulses in a quantum cryptography experiment. The nitrogen-vacancy center (NV center) in diamond consists of a substitutional nitrogen atom and an adjacent vacancy. This complex exhibits an optical transition with a fluorescence lifetime of 11.6 ns. The room temperature spectrum of the NV center consists of the zero-phonon line at 637 nm and broad phononic sidebands with a FWHM of more than 100 nm. Due to the existence of a shelving level the efficiency of the NV center as a single photon source is limited. Additionally, the high diffraction index of bulk diamond restricts the efficiency to collect the fluorescence light.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•Jun 1, 2009•4 citations

Stable Solid-State Source of Single Photons

Christian Kurtsiefer, Sonja Mayer, Patrick Zarda +1 more

Fluorescence light observed from a single nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond exhibits strong photon antibunching: The measured pair correlation function g((2))(0) shows that only one photon is emitted at a time. Nitrogen-vacancy centers are well localized, stable against photobleaching even at room temperature, and can be addressed in simple experimental configurations.

Physical Review Letters•Jul 10, 2000•1,478 citations

A Bright Single Photon Source Based on a Diamond Nanowire

Thomas M. Babinec, Birgit Hausmann, Muhammad Jibran Khan +4 more

The development of a robust light source that emits one photon at a time is an outstanding challenge in quantum science and technology. Here, at the transition from many to single photon optical communication systems, fully quantum mechanical effects may be utilized to achieve new capabilities, most notably perfectly secure communication via quantum cryptography. Practical implementations place stringent requirements on the device properties, including stable photon generation, room temperature operation, and efficient extraction of many photons. Single photon light emitting devices based on fluorescent dye molecules, quantum dots, and carbon nanotube material systems have all been explored, but none have simultaneously demonstrated all criteria. Here, we describe the design, fabrication, and characterization of a bright source of single photons consisting of an individual Nitrogen-vacancy color center (NV center) in a diamond nanowire operating in ambient conditions. The nanowire plays a positive role in increasing the number of single photons collected from the NV center by an order of magnitude over devices based on bulk diamond crystals, and allows operation at an order of magnitude lower power levels. This result enables a new class of nanostructured diamond devices for room temperature photonic and quantum information processing applications, and will also impact fields as diverse as biological and chemical sensing, opto-mechanics, and scanning-probe microscopy.

•Aug 3, 2009•3 citations

Solid-state devices for single-photon generation

Charles Santori, Kai‐Mei C. Fu, David A. Fattal +1 more

General requirements for single-photon devices in various applications are presented and compared with experimental progress to date. The quantum information applications that currently appear the most promising require a matter qubit-enabled single-photon source, where the emitted photon state is linked to the state of a long-lived quantum system such as an electron spin. The nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond is a promising solid-state system for realizing such a device due to its long-lived electron spin coherence, optical addressability, and ability to couple to a manageable number of nuclear spins. This system is discussed in detail, and experimental results from our laboratory are shown. A critical component of such a device is an optical microcavity to enhance the coupling between the nitrogen-vacancy center and a single photon, and we discuss theoretically the requirements for achieving this enhancement.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jan 8, 2008•0 citations

A solid state single photon source based on SiV centers in diamond

Juliane Bahe, Chunlang Wang, Vladimir Chernyshev +2 more

The development of reliable devices to generate single photons is crucial for applications in quantum cryptography, as well as for fundamental quantum optics experiments. Due to their extremely high photostability at room-temperature, optically active defects in solids, the so called color centers, are among the most promising candidates.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•Jun 1, 2007•11 citations
The controlled generation of single photons is mandatory for applications in quantum communication, in particular for secure quantum cryptography, and also for a number of fundamental problems in quantum optics. Here, we present a stable all solid-state source for single photons utilizing the fluorescence light from a single nitrogen-vacancy center (N-V center) in diamond.
Summary form only given. Summary from only given. The controlled generation of single photons is mandatory for new applications of quantum communication, in particular for truly secure quantum cryptography. Various solutions based on the fluorescence of single atom, ions or organic molecules have been demonstrated already. However, they are either rather difficult to perform, need expensive equipment or can generate only a very limited number of emissions. Here, we present an all-solid-state solution promising low costs and unprecedented stability.
The development of reliable devices to generate single photons is crucial for applications in quantum cryptography, as well as for fundamental quantum optics experiments. Due to their extremely high photostability at room temperature, optically active defects in solids, the so called color centers, are among the most promising candidates. Single NV (nitrogen-vacancy) centers in diamond have been demonstrated to be able to generate single photons and have already shown advantages compared to attenuated laser pulses in a quantum cryptography experiment. The nitrogen-vacancy center (NV center) in diamond consists of a substitutional nitrogen atom and an adjacent vacancy. This complex exhibits an optical transition with a fluorescence lifetime of 11.6 ns. The room temperature spectrum of the NV center consists of the zero-phonon line at 637 nm and broad phononic sidebands with a FWHM of more than 100 nm. Due to the existence of a shelving level the efficiency of the NV center as a single photon source is limited. Additionally, the high diffraction index of bulk diamond restricts the efficiency to collect the fluorescence light.
The development of a robust light source that emits one photon at a time is an outstanding challenge in quantum science and technology. Here, at the transition from many to single photon optical communication systems, fully quantum mechanical effects may be utilized to achieve new capabilities, most notably perfectly secure communication via quantum cryptography. Practical implementations place stringent requirements on the device properties, including stable photon generation, room temperature operation, and efficient extraction of many photons. Single photon light emitting devices based on fluorescent dye molecules, quantum dots, and carbon nanotube material systems have all been explored, but none have simultaneously demonstrated all criteria. Here, we describe the design, fabrication, and characterization of a bright source of single photons consisting of an individual Nitrogen-vacancy color center (NV center) in a diamond nanowire operating in ambient conditions. The nanowire plays a positive role in increasing the number of single photons collected from the NV center by an order of magnitude over devices based on bulk diamond crystals, and allows operation at an order of magnitude lower power levels. This result enables a new class of nanostructured diamond devices for room temperature photonic and quantum information processing applications, and will also impact fields as diverse as biological and chemical sensing, opto-mechanics, and scanning-probe microscopy.
General requirements for single-photon devices in various applications are presented and compared with experimental progress to date. The quantum information applications that currently appear the most promising require a matter qubit-enabled single-photon source, where the emitted photon state is linked to the state of a long-lived quantum system such as an electron spin. The nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond is a promising solid-state system for realizing such a device due to its long-lived electron spin coherence, optical addressability, and ability to couple to a manageable number of nuclear spins. This system is discussed in detail, and experimental results from our laboratory are shown. A critical component of such a device is an optical microcavity to enhance the coupling between the nitrogen-vacancy center and a single photon, and we discuss theoretically the requirements for achieving this enhancement.