Sub-Megahertz Single Photon Source

Abstract

We report 100% duty cycle generation of sub-MHz single photon pairs at the Rubidium D$_1$ line using cavity-enhanced spontaneous parametric downconversion. The temporal intensity crosscorrelation function exhibits a bandwidth of $666 \pm 16$ kHz for the single photons, an order of magnitude below the natural linewidth of the target transition. A half-wave plate inside our cavity helps to achieve triple resonance between pump, signal and idler photon, reducing the bandwidth and simplifying the locking scheme. Additionally, stabilisation of the cavity to the pump frequency enables the 100% duty cycle. These photons are well-suited for storage in quantum memory schemes with sub-natural linewidths, such as gradient echo memories.