Open AccessSimple microcavity for single-photon generation
Author(s) -
Taras Plakhotnik
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/opex.13.003049
Subject(s) - resonator , optics , photon , single photon source , optoelectronics , single mode optical fiber , physics , quantum optics , mode volume , materials science , cavity quantum electrodynamics , semiconductor , diamond , laser , quantum , optical fiber , quantum mechanics , fiber optic sensor , graded index fiber , open quantum system , composite material
A new design of an optical resonator for generation of single-photon pulses is proposed. The resonator is made of a cylindrical or spherical piece of a polymer squeezed between two flat dielectric mirrors. The mode characteristics of this resonator are calculated numerically. The numerical analysis is backed by a physical explanation. The decay time and the mode volume of the fundamental mode are sufficient for achieving more than 96% probability of generating a single-photon in a single-mode. The corresponding requirement for the reflectivity of the mirrors (~99.9%) and the losses in the polymer (100 dB/m) are quite modest. The resonator is suitable for single-photon generation based on optical pumping of a single quantum system such as an organic molecule, a diamond nanocrystal, or a semiconductor quantum dot if they are imbedded in the polymer.