Controlled generation of single photons in a coupled atom-cavity system at a fast repetition-rate

Abstract

We have demonstrated high-speed controlled generation of single photons in a coupled atom-cavity system. A single 85Rb atom, pumped with a nanosecond-pulse laser, generates a single photon into the cavity mode, and the photon is then emitted out the cavity rapidly. By employing cavity parameters for a moderate coupling regime, the single-photon emission process was optimized for both high efficiency and fast bit rates up to 10 MHz. The temporal single-photon wave packet was studied by means of the photon-arrival-time distribution relative to the pump pulse and the efficiency of the single-photon generation was investigated as the pump power. The single-photon nature of the emission was confirmed by the second-order correlation of emitted photons.

Strong Purcell Effect on a Neutral Atom Trapped in an Open Fiber Cavity

“…Both effects facilitate the generation and efficient collection of single photons and, thus, the study of the Purcell effect has been extended to multiple types of emitters. These include atoms [4,5], quantum dots [6,7], and a variety of other solid-state systems [8][9][10][11] amongst others, with particular emphasis on the development of single-photon sources (SPS) [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. The required high cooperativities can be obtained by tailoring the resonator, i.e.…”

Locking Multi-Laser Frequencies to a Precision Wavelength Meter: Application to Cold Atoms

“…The frequency of the repumping laser (ECDL 2) is fixed on resonance to the to transition, 780.232684(2) nm (384.234683(1) THz). Given a magnetic field gradient of 7.9 G/cm, the atoms are successfully trapped about 6 mm above a high-finesse optical cavity [ 35 , 36 , 37 ]. Figure 5 b shows a MOT fluorescence taken with an electron multiplying (EM) CCD, through a lens system with a numerical aperture of 0.23.…”

Locking Multi-laser Frequencies to a Precision Wavelength Meter: Application to Cold Atoms

“…The cooling laser (ECDL 1) frequency is locked at 780.246031( 2 on resonance to the F = 1 to F = 2 transition, 780.232684(2) nm (384.234683(1) THz). Given a magnetic field gradient of 7.9 G/cm, the atoms are successfully trapped about 6 mm above a high-finesse optical cavity [34][35][36]. Fig.…”