Heralded Single-Photon Emission from the Mollow Triplet Sidebands of a Quantum Dot (1108.3225v1)

Abstract: Emission from a resonantly excited quantum emitter is a fascinating research topic within quantum optics and a useful source for different types of quantum light fields. The resonance spectrum consists of a single spectral line below saturation of a quantum emitter which develops into a triplet at powers above saturation of the emitter. The spectral properties of the triplet strongly depends on pump power and detuning of the excitation laser. The three closely spaced photon channels from the resonance fluorescence have different photon statistical signatures. We present a detailed photon-statistics analysis of the resonance fluorescence emission triplet from a solid state-based artificial atom, i.e. a semiconductor quantum dot. The photon correlation measurements demonstrate both 'single' and 'heralded' photon emission from the Mollow triplet sidebands. The ultra-bright and narrowband emission (5.9 MHz into the first lens) can be conveniently frequency-tuned by laser detuning over 15 times its linewidth ({\Delta \nu} \approx 1.0 GHz). These unique properties make the Mollow triplet sideband emission a valuable light source for, e.g.quantum light spectroscopy and quantum information applications.