Nonlinear quantum optics at a topological interface enabled by defect engineering
Abstract The integration of topology into photonics has generated a new design framework for constructing robust and unidirectional waveguides, which are not feasible with traditional photonic devices. Here, we overcome current barriers to the successful integration of quantum emitters such as quantum dots (QDs) into valley-Hall (VH) topological waveguides, utilising photonic defects at the topological interface to stabilise the local charge environment and inverse design for efficient topological-conventional mode conversion. By incorporating QDs within defects of VH-photonic crystals, we demonstrate the first instances of single-photon resonant fluorescence and resonant transmission spectroscopy of a quantum emitter at a topological waveguide interface. Our results bring together topological photonics with optical nonlinear effects at the single-photon level, offering a new avenue to investigate the interaction between topology and quantum nonlinear systems.
Authors
- D. Hallett (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3239-270X)
- M. S. Skolnick (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3972-8344)
- L. R. Wilson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9224-8543)
- Xizhong Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8073-5741)
- R. Dost (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8578-0389)
- Pallavi Patil (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2756-0513)
- Alexis Foster (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7978-2791)
- N. J. Martin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9673-5852)
- Mahmoud Jalali Mehrabad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9809-9998)
- Edmund Clarke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8287-0282)
- A. M. Fox (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9025-2441)
- L. Hallacy
- Luke Brunswick (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8157-7255)
- A. Fenzl
Institutions
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (GB)
- Joint Quantum Institute (US)
- University of Maryland, College Park (US)
- University of Sheffield (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Nanophotonics
- Published
- 2025-03-06
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s44310-025-00057-6
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Topological Materials and Phenomena
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.99
Funders
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council