ISBN 9783843941112

978-3-8439-4111-2, Reihe Physik

Fabian Ripka
A Single-Photon Source Based on Strongly Interacting Thermal Rydberg Atoms

198 Seiten, Dissertation Universität Stuttgart (2019), Softcover, A5

Zusammenfassung / Abstract

In this thesis, the experimental proof of concept of a novel kind of single-photon source is demonstrated. This concept is based on strongly interacting Rydberg excitations in rubidium vapors. The photons are generated in a so-called µ-cell, which is filled with thermal atoms. The whole excitation volume is covered by the range of the Rydberg interaction, which is approximately one micrometer. Due to the blockade of multiple excitations and collective dephasing, the emission of multiple photons is suppressed. First, the properties of the collective coherence of thermal vapors are studied. Second, the development of the µ-cell allows for the confinement of the optical excitation in the range of one micrometer. Finally, it is demonstrated that this concept is able to generate antibunched photons. The described concept is specifically auspicious since it is working at room temperature and is principally deterministic. Furthermore, such an emitter promises an intrinsic matching to photon storage devices as well as being scalable and reproducible, since it is based on atomic vapors. The generation efficiency of this photon source is not yet sufficient for technical applications, however plenty of options for improvement tender for an enhancement of this concept.