Optimization of the efficiency of single photon sources based on quantum dots under optical excitation

We demonstrate efficient, regulated single-photon operation from site-controlled InGaAs quantum dots (QDs) grown on a prepatterned substrate. Under nonresonant optical excitation, carriers trapped at structural or compositional defects of the adjacent nanostructures led to a degradation of the single-photon statistics from a QD. When the QD was excited quasiresonantly, single photons were emitted and a nearly complete suppression of multiphoton emission was achieved, making these QDs promising candidates for effective solid-state single-photon sources. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.