Improving the spectral purity of single photons by a single-interferometer-coupled microring

We experimentally engineer a high-spectral-purity single-photon source using a single-interferometer-coupled silicon microring. By the reconfiguration of the interferometer, different coupling conditions can be obtained, corresponding to different quality factors for the pump and signal/idler. The ratio between the quality factor of the pump and signal/idler ranges from 0.29 to 2.57. By constructing the signal-idler joint spectral intensity, we intuitively demonstrate the spectral correlation of the signal and idler. As the ratio between the quality factor of the pump and signal/idler increases, the spectral correlation of the signal and idler decreases, i.e., the spectral purity of the signal/idler photons increases. Furthermore, time-integrated second-order correlation of the signal photons is measured, giving a value up to 94.95 +/- 3.46%. Such high-spectral-purity photons will improve the visibility of quantum interference and facilitate the development of on-chip quantum information processing.

Automated summary

In this experiment, a high-spectral-purity single-photon source is engineered using a single-interferometer-coupled silicon microring. By adjusting the interferometer, different coupling conditions are achieved, leading to different quality factors for the pump and signal/idler. The spectral correlation of the signal and idler is intuitively demonstrated, and it is shown that higher quality factors result in increased spectral purity. The measurement of time-integrated second-order correlation of the signal photons yields a high value, indicating the potential for enhancing quantum interference and on-chip quantum information processing.