Enhanced brightness of quantum emitters via in situ coupling to the dielectric microsphere

Achieving higher brightness of a single-photon emitter (SPE) is central for advanced applications from quantum information processing to quantum sensing. However, most approaches of integrating quantum emitters and photonic resonators require accurately localizing the emitter into a photonic structure, which is a challenge. Here, we report using dielectric microspheres for laser focusing to create SPEs in hexagonal boron nitride and in situ enhance the emission via photonic coupling between the SPE and the dielectric microspheres. The photoluminescence intensity is increased by 2.4-fold, achieving a high brightness SPE with a saturation intensity of up to 19.6 Mcounts s(-1). This approach provides a feasible way to generate a high-performance SPE while simultaneously enabling precise coupling of the quantum light source and optical resonators.

Automated summary

By using dielectric microspheres for laser focusing, we have successfully created high brightness single-photon emitters in hexagonal boron nitride and enhanced the emission via photonic coupling. This approach provides a feasible way to generate high-performance single-photon emitters while enabling precise coupling with optical resonators.