Advances in Quantum Metrology with Dielectrically Structured Single Photon Sources Based on Molecules

Year: 2024

Authors: Lombardi P., Georgieva H., Hirt F., Mony J., Duquennoy R., Emadi R., Aparicio MG., Colautti M., Lopez M., Kuck S., Toninelli C.

Autors Affiliation: CNR, European Lab Nonlinear Spect LENS, Ist Nazl Ott INO, Via Nello Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; European Lab Nonlinear Spect LENS, Via Nello Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Phys Tech Bundesanstalt PTB, Bundesallee 100, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany; Lab Emerging Nanometrol, Langer Kamp 6a-B, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Univ Napoli, Dipartimento Fis, Via Cinthia 21, I-80126 Fuorigrotta, Italy; Inst Nacl Tecnol Ind INTI, Metrol Fis, Dept Luminotecnia, Av Gen Paz, RA-1650 San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Abstract: In the realm of fundamental quantum science and technologies, non-classical states of light, such as single-photon Fock states, are widely studied. However, current standards and metrological procedures are not optimized for low light levels. Progress in this crucial scientific domain depends on innovative metrology approaches, utilizing reliable devices based on quantum effects. A new generation of molecule-based single-photon sources is presented, combining their integration in a polymeric micro-lens with pulsed excitation schemes, thereby realizing suitable resources in quantum radiometry. The strategy enhances the efficiency of generated single photon pulses and improves stability, providing a portable source at 784.7 nm that maintains consistent performance even through a cooling and heating cycle. The calibration of a single-photon avalanche detector is demonstrated using light sources with different photon statistics, and the advantages of the single-molecule device are discussed. A relative uncertainty on the intrinsic detection efficiency well below 1% is attained, representing a new benchmark in the field. Exploiting the integration in polymeric micro-lenses, a new generation of molecule-based single-photon sources for quantum radiometry is presented. The emitters exhibit enhanced efficiency and improved stability, as their optical properties result largely unaffected by a successive cooling-heating cycle. The calibration of a single-photon avalanche detector is demonstrated and the advantages of using the single-molecule device are discussed. image

Journal/Review: ADVANCED QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES

More Information: This work is financed by the EMPIR programme (Project No. 20FUN05, SEQUME), cofinanced by the Participating States and by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme. The research has been co-funded by the European Union – NextGeneration EU, Integrated infrastructure initiative in Photoni c and Quantum Sciences – I-PHOQS [IR0000016, ID D2B8D520, CUP B53C22001750006]. It is also co-funded by the European Union (ERC, QUINTESSEnCE, 101088394). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. The authors wish to acknowledge Elisa Riccardi and Miriam Vitiello from Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR for their support with SEM measurements and Felix Binkowski and Sven Burger for their help with JCM suite for numerical simulations.
KeyWords: direct laser writing; quantum emitters; quantum radiometry; scalability; single-photon sources
DOI: 10.1002/qute.202400107

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