Single-photon electroluminescence for on-chip quantum networks

An electrically driven single-photon source has been monolithically integrated with nano-photonic circuitry. Electroluminescent emission from a single InAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) is channelled through a suspended nanobeam waveguide. The emission line has a linewidth of below 6 μeV, demonstrating the ability to have a high coherence, electrically driven, waveguide coupled QD source. The single-photon nature of the emission is verified by g(2)(τ) correlation measurements. Moreover, in a cross-correlation experiment, with emission collected from the two ends of the waveguide, the emission and propagation of single photons from the same QD is confirmed. This work provides the basis for the development of electrically driven on-chip single-photon sources, which can be readily coupled to waveguide filters, directional couplers, phase shifters, and other elements of quantum photonic networks.