Abstract

Semiconductor quantum dots have improved their optical performance dramatically in recent years, and today a clear pathway is laid out for constructing a deterministic and coherent photon-emitter interface by embedding quantum dots in photonic nanostructures [1]. Such an interface can be employed as an on-demand single-photon source for quantum-information applications, but more generally enables single-photon nonlinearities and deterministic quantum gates. We will review the recent experimental progress on quantum dots coupled to nanophotonic waveguides and cavities enabling unique ways of engineering light-matter interaction. A single-photon coupling efficiency exceeding 98.4% is reported [2] and the coherence of the emitted photons is extracted. Furthermore, various out-coupling strategies for efficiently transferring single photons to an optical fiber are implemented [3]. Currently, the first commercial products based on this technology are being brought to the market [4]. Finally, the unique engineering potential of the nanophotonic waveguides is demonstrated by implementing a chiral quantum interface [5,6]. The prospects and applications of single-photon nonlinearities [7,8] and architectures for scalable quantum networks are discussed [9]

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