Photons play a crucial role in quantum applications due to their ability to encode quantum information in various degrees of freedom and transmit it at the speed of light. The quantum states of photons are exceptionally robust against decoherence since photons interact relatively weakly with matter. However, this weak light-matter interaction also limits the rate of quantum photonic operations such as single photon generation or photon-photon interactions. Plasmonic metamaterials can improve light-matter interaction and dramatically speed up quantum photonic processes. In this work, we give an overview of our research efforts regarding the application of plasmonics for spontaneous emission enhancement to enable high-speed bright quantum emitters. The ultimate goal is to enhance the spontaneous emission rate beyond the dephasing rate typical for solid-state quantum emitters at cryo-free temperatures. This would enable the generation of indistinguishable photons without the need of a cryostat. We report on the engineering of solid-state quantum emitters in material platforms such as hexagonal boron nitride and silicon nitride suitable for coupling with plasmonic metamaterials and integrated quantum photonics.

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Alexander Senichev, Xiaohui Xu, Zachariah O Martin, Samuel Peana, Omer Yesilyurt, Demid Sychev, Alexei S Lagutchev, Alexandra Boltasseva, and Vladimir M. Shalaev, "Quantum meta-photonics," Proc. SPIE 12431, Photonic and Phononic Properties of Engineered Nanostructures XIII, 1243107 (Presented at SPIE OPTO: January 31, 2023; Published: 15 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2657528.