Non post-selected indistinguishable single photons generated by a quantum dot under resonant excitation

Abstract

We report on two-photon interferences from highly indistinguishable single photons emitted by a quantum dot. Stricly resonant excitation with picosecond laser pulses allows coherent state preparation with a signifi- cantly increased coherence time (T2 \sim 1 ns) and reduced lifetime (T1 \sim 650 ps), as compared to a non-resonant excitation scheme. Building-up the Hong-Ou-Mandel dip without post-selection of the interfering photons, visi- bilities greater than 70 % have been observed. Near-unity indistinguishable photons could be achieved for every dot if charge noise is controlled. Indeed, the remaining decoherence mechanism is likely due to the fluctuating electrostatic environment of the dots.