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Continuous generation of single photons with controlled waveform in an ion-trap cavity system

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 23:14 authored by Matthias KellerMatthias Keller, Birgit Lange, Kazukiro Hayasaka, Wolfgang Lange, Herbert Walther
The controlled production of single photons is of fundamental and practical interest; they represent the lowest excited quantum states of the radiation field, and have applications in quantum cryptography and quantum information processing. Common approaches use the fluorescence of single ions, single molecules, colour centres and semiconductor quantum dots. However, the lack of control over such irreversible emission processes precludes the use of these sources in applications (such as quantum networks) that require coherent exchange of quantum states between atoms and photons. The necessary control may be achieved in principle in cavity quantum electrodynamics. Although this approach has been used for the production of single photons from atoms, such experiments are compromised by limited trapping times, fluctuating atomfield coupling and multi-atom effects. Here we demonstrate a single-photon source based on a strongly localized single ion in an optical cavity. The ion is optimally coupled to a well-defined field mode, resulting in the generation of single-photon pulses with precisely defined shape and timing. We have confirmed the suppression of two-photon events up to the limit imposed by fluctuations in the rate of detector dark counts. The stream of emitted photons is uninterrupted over the storage time of the ion, as demonstrated by a measurement of photon correlations over 90 min.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Nature

ISSN

0028-0836

Issue

7012

Volume

431

Page range

1075-1078

Pages

4.0

Department affiliated with

  • Physics and Astronomy Publications

Notes

The paper describes the first ion-trap single-photon source. It has more than 60 citations. M.K. was the principal scientist performing the largest share of laboratory work. W.L. led the team and provided modeling of the results. The remaining authors' contributed to parts of the laser system and financial support.

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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