title: Nanowire waveguides launching single photons in a Gaussian mode for ideal fiber coupling.
abstract: Quantum communication as well as integrated photonic circuits require single photons propagating in a well-defined Gaussian mode. However, tailoring the emission mode to a Gaussian remains an unsolved challenge for solid-state quantum emitters due to their random positioning in the host material or photonic structure. Here, we overcome these limitations by embedding a semiconductor quantum dot in a tapered nanowire waveguide. Owing to the deterministic positioning of the emitter in the waveguide, we demonstrate a Gaussian emission profile in the far field. Hence, we further couple the emission into a single-mode optical fiber with a record efficiency of 93%, thereby addressing a major hurdle for practical implementation of single photon sources in emerging photonic technologies.
authors.affiliation: Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology , 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bulgarini
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Reimer
authors.forename: Maaike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouwes Bavinck
authors.forename: Klaus D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Jöns
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dalacu
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Poole
authors.forename: Erik P A M
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Bakkers
authors.forename: Val
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zwiller