Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: We propose a mechanism for generating single photons in the mid-infrared (MIR) using a solid-state or molecular quantum emitter. The scheme uses cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) effects to selectively enhance a Frank-Condon transition, deterministically preparing a single Fock state of a polar phonon mode. By coupling the phonon mode to an antenna, the resulting excitation is then radiated to the far field as a single photon with a frequency matching the phonon mode. By combining macroscopic QED calculations with methods from open quantum system theory, we show that optimal parameters to generate these MIR photons occur for modest light-matter coupling strengths, which are achievable with state-of-the-art technologies. Combined, the cascaded system we propose provides a quasi-deterministic source of heralded single photons in a regime of the electromagnetic spectrum where this previously was not possible.
Source: Science Advances
Institutions: University of Manchester, University of Sheffield, University of Copenhagen, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, University of the Basque Country, European Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility, Flatiron Institute, Technical University of Denmark
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Awards: G213344254, G4223296166
OpenAlex ID: W4408345684