Integrated room temperature single-photon source for quantum key distribution
Helen Zhi Jie Zeng, Minh Anh Phan Ngyuen, Xiaoyu Ai, Adam Bennet, Alexander S. Solntsev, Arne Laucht, Ali Al-Juboori, Milos Toth, Richard P. Mildren, Robert Malaney, Igor Aharonovich
Abstract
High-purity single-photon sources (SPS) that can operate at room temperature are highly desirable for a myriad of applications, including quantum photonics and quantum key distribution. In this work, we realize an ultra-bright solid-state SPS based on an atomic defect in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) integrated with a solid immersion lens (SIL). The SIL increases the source efficiency by a factor of six, and the integrated system is capable of producing over ten million single photons per second at room temperature. Our results are promising for practical applications of SPS in quantum communication protocols.