Indistinguishable single photons from a single-quantum dot in a two-dimensional photonic crystal cavity

Abstract

We report on the spontaneous emission of a single-quantum dot embedded in a two-dimensional photonic crystal cavity. The resonant coupling between the dot and the strongly localized optical mode significantly shortens the spontaneous emission lifetime, so that the coherence time of the emitted photons is dominated by radiative effects: The emitted photons are indistinguishable, with a mean wave-packet overlap as high as 72%.