Background-free quantum frequency conversion of single photons from a semiconductor quantum dot

Abstract

We demonstrate background-free quantum frequency conversion of single photons from an epitaxially-grown InAs quantum dot. Single photons at \approx 980 nm are combined with a pump laser near 1550 nm inside a periodically-poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide, generating single photons at \approx 600 nm. The large red-detuning between the pump and signal wavelengths ensures nearly background-free conversion, avoiding processes such as upconversion of anti-Stokes Raman scattered pump photons in the PPLN crystal. Second-order correlation measurements on the single photon stream are performed both before and after conversion, confirming the preservation of photon statistics during the frequency conversion process.