Elliptical micropillar cavity design for highly efficient polarized emission of single photons

We present a numerical investigation of the performance of the micropillar cavity single-photon source featuring an elliptical cross section. While ellipticity serves to establish polarization control of the emitted photons, it introduces a trade-off due to reduced coupling to a Gaussian profile in the far field and the need for significantly increased pumping power when a resonant excitation pumping scheme is implemented. Starting from a circular micropillar, we identify optimum geometrical parameters leading to a maximum polarized coupling efficiency of 0.90 to a Gaussian profile in the far field combined with a modest relative increase in the pump power of 16 dB. Published under license by AIP Publishing.

Automated summary

In this study, the performance of a micropillar cavity single-photon source with an elliptical cross section was numerically investigated. It was found that while the ellipticity helps establish polarization control of emitted photons, there is a trade-off with reduced coupling to a Gaussian profile in the far field and the need for increased pumping power. Optimum geometrical parameters were identified to achieve a maximum polarized coupling efficiency to a Gaussian profile in the far field with a modest increase in pump power.