Münster University Researchers Develop an Easy-to-Produce Interface Between Quantum Emitters and Nanophotonic Networks.

(SciTechDaily) Researchers at the University of Münster have now developed an interface that couples light sources for single photons with nanophotonic networks. This interface consists of so-called photonic crystals, i.e. nanostructured dielectric materials that can enhance a certain wavelength range when light passes through. Such photonic crystals are used in many areas of research, but they had not previously been optimized for this type of interface.
The next steps for the researchers involve trying to position the quantum emitters, embedded in the nanodiamonds, at certain spots on the photonic crystals – with the aim of putting the results of the study into practice. To this end, the team headed by Carsten Schuck is already developing a special nanofabrication technique which is able, for example, to place a diamond just 100-nanometres in size with an accuracy of less than 50 nanometres. The team of theoretical physicists led by Doris Reiter wants to extend the studies to other materials systems and more complex geometries of photonic crystals.