Quantum Light Manipulation: A Path towards Efficient Pure Room-temperature Single Photon Sources

Quantum light and in particular single photons have become essential resources for a growing number of quantum applications including quantum computing, quantum key distribution and quantum metrology. Solid-state atom-like systems such as semiconductor quantum dots and color defects in crystals have become the hallmark of highly pure single photon emitters in the past two decades. A particular interest has been developed in nanocrystal quantum dots and color centers in diamond as potential compact room-temperature emitters. There are however several challenges that inhibit the use of such sources in current technologies including low photon extraction efficiency, low emission rates and relatively low single photon purities. In this talk I will review our efforts in overcoming these technical difficulties using several complementary methods including designing several nanoantenna devices that enhance the directionality and emission rate of the nanoemitter. In addition, we developed several temporal heralding techniques to overcome the hurdle of low single photon purity in nanocrystal quantum dots in an effort to produce a highly pure, bright and efficient single photon source on-chip.