Tailoring a nanofiber for enhanced photon emission and coupling efficiency from single quantum emitters

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Quantum Information Science

Background:

• Efficiently coupling single quantum emitters to optical fibers is crucial for quantum information technologies.
• Existing methods face limitations in enhancing spontaneous emission rates and coupling efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel optical nanofiber-based cavity to enhance the spontaneous emission rate and fiber coupling efficiency of single quantum emitters.
• To investigate the impact of an air-filled groove on cavity performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an optical nanofiber cavity with a precisely engineered air-filled groove.
• Characterization of the Purcell factor and coupling efficiency for quantum emitters within the groove.
• Optimization of cavity mode and groove width for maximum enhancement.

Main Results:

• Achieved at least a sixfold increase in the Purcell factor for emitters inside the groove compared to the fiber surface.
• Demonstrated up to ~80% coupling efficiency of single quantum emitters into the guided mode.
• Required only 35 cavity-grating periods for high coupling efficiency.

Conclusions:

• The proposed air-filled groove in an optical nanofiber cavity significantly enhances quantum emitter performance.
• This all-fiber platform offers a promising solution for efficient photon coupling in quantum information applications.