Near-Perfect Single-Photon Source via Ultrastrong Coupling

Abstract

Deterministic single-photon sources are indispensable core devices for quantum information technology, yet high-performance implementation remains a long-standing bottleneck for linear optical quantum computing. We propose a feasible scheme for deterministic single-photon emission based on a $\triangle$-type three-level atom coupled to a single-mode cavity, driven by two classical external fields, which is adaptable to both strong and ultrastrong cavity-atom coupling regimes. Under continuous-wave driving, the system achieves excellent single-photon characteristics: the normalized equal-time second-order correlation function reaches $g^{(2)}(0)\sim10^{-6}$, with a photon indistinguishability of $98.73\%$ and a state purity of $99.95\%$ in the strong coupling regime, while the ultrastrong coupling regime further suppresses $G^{(2)}(0)\sim10^{-8}$, yielding an indistinguishability of $99.10\%$ and a purity of $99.99\%$. For pulsed driving in the ultrastrong coupling regime, the source realizes superior performance, with an emission efficiency, indistinguishability, and purity of $99.96\%$, $98.98\%$, and $99.99\%$ under resonant conditions, and $100\%$, $95.91\%$, and $99.93\%$ under detuned conditions, respectively. The near-ideal optical performance of the proposed scheme provides a viable route for constructing high-quality deterministic single-photon sources, which offers a promising solution to the limitations of conventional single-photon devices and facilitates the further development of quantum information science and fundamental quantum optical research.