In the efforts to develop quantum computers and secure communication networks, a tiny device called a single photon source is a crucial component. By emitting light as a stream of individual photons, these sources can generate the quantum bits, or qubits, that form the foundation of quantum information technologies. However, making single photon sources that are efficient, reliable and scalable has proven enormously challenging, limiting progress in the field.
A team of researchers from China reports a significant advance that could finally overcome this bottleneck. Writing in Light: Science & Applications ("Tunable quantum dots in monolithic Fabry-Perot microcavities for high-performance single-photon sources"), they describe a new type of single photon source based on a quantum dot embedded in a purpose-designed microcavity. By integrating several key innovations, their device achieves a combination of performance metrics that has long been sought but never before demonstrated.
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