Maximilian Prilmüller

Coherence and degree of time-bin entanglement from quantum dots

We report on the generation of time-bin entangled photon pairs from a semiconductor quantum dot via pulsed resonant biexciton generation. Based on theoretical modeling we optimized the duration of the excitation pulse to minimize the laser-induced dephasing and increase the biexciton-to-background single exciton occupation probability. This results in a high degree of entanglement with a concurrence of up to 0.78(6) and a 0.88(3) overlap with a maximally entangled state. Theoretical simulations also indicate a power dependent nature of the dephasing during the laser excitation that limits the coherence of the excitation process.

A Solid State Source of Photon Triplets based on Quantum Dot Molecules

Producing advanced quantum states of light is a priority in quantum information technologies. In this context, experimental realizations of multipartite photon states would enable improved tests of the foundations of quantum mechanics as well as implementations of complex quantum optical networks and protocols. It is favourable to directly generate these states using solid state systems, for simpler handling and the promise of reversible transfer of quantum information between stationary and flying qubits. Here we use the ground states of two optically active coupled quantum dots to directly produce photon triplets. The formation of a triexciton in these ground states leads to a triple cascade recombination and sequential emission of three photons with strong correlations. We record 65.62 photon triplets per minute under continuous-wave pumping, surpassing rates of earlier reported sources. Our structure and data pave the way towards implementing multipartite photon entanglement and multi-qubit readout schemes in solid state devices.

Analysis of (hyper-) entanglement in quantum dot systems

Entangled and hyper-entangled states of light are valuable tools of quantum information protocols. Here, we discuss entanglement generation in quantum dot systems and its extension to hyper entanglement. We review the current results and give a perspective for possible improvement.

Invited Article: Time-bin entangled photon pairs from Bragg-reflection waveguides

Semiconductor Bragg-reflection waveguides are well-established sources of correlated photon pairs as well as promising candidates for building up integrated quantum optics devices. Here, we use such a source with optimized non-linearity for preparing time-bin entangled photons in the telecommunication wavelength range. By taking advantage of pulsed state preparation and efficient free-running single-photon detection, we drive our source at low pump powers, which results in a strong photon-pair correlation. The tomographic reconstruction of the state’s density matrix reveals that our source exhibits a high degree of entanglement. We extract a concurrence of 88.9(1.8)% and a fidelity of 94.2(9)% with respect to a Bell state.Semiconductor Bragg-reflection waveguides are well-established sources of correlated photon pairs as well as promising candidates for building up integrated quantum optics devices. Here, we use such a source with optimized non-linearity for preparing time-bin entangled photons in the telecommunication wavelength range. By taking advantage of pulsed state preparation and efficient free-running single-photon detection, we drive our source at low pump powers, which results in a strong photon-pair correlation. The tomographic reconstruction of the state’s density matrix reveals that our source exhibits a high degree of entanglement. We extract a concurrence of 88.9(1.8)% and a fidelity of 94.2(9)% with respect to a Bell state.

Coherent two-photon excitation of quantum dots

Single semiconductor quantum dots, due to their discrete energy structure, form single photon and twin photon sources that are characterized by a well-defined frequency of the emitted photons and inherently sub-Poissonian statistics. The single photons are generated through a recombination of an electron-hole pair formed by an electron from the conduction band and a hole from the valence band. When excited to the biexciton state quantum dots can provide pairs of photons emitted in a cascade. It has been shown that this biexciton-exciton cascade can deliver entangled pairs of photons. To achieve a deterministic generation of photon pairs from a quantum dot system one requires exciting it using a two-photon resonant excitation of the biexciton. Particularly, an efficient and coherent excitation of the biexciton requires the elimination of the single exciton probability amplitude in the excitation pulse and reaching the lowest possible degree of dephasing caused by the laser excitation. These two conditions impose contradictory demands on the excitation pulse-length and its intensity. We addressed this problem from a point of view that does not include interaction of the quantum dot with the semiconductor environment. We found an optimized operation regime for the system under consideration and provide guidelines on how to extend this study to other similar systems. In particular, our study shows that an optimal excitation process requires a trade-off between the biexciton binding energy and the excitation laser pulse length.