Tailoring the optical properties at the micro- and nanoscale is key to enable new experiments in the field of quantum optics and biophotonics. To this end, I use my strong background in numerical simulations as well as nano- and microfabrication techniques together with the expertise in spectroscopy, linear and nonlinear optics to enable and conduct experiments.
We report on cryogenic coupling of organic molecules to ring microresonators obtained by looping subwavelength waveguides (nanoguides). We discuss fabrication and characterization of the chip-based nanophotonic elements which yield a resonator finesse in the order of 20 when covered by molecular crystals. Our observed extinction dips from single molecules reach 22%, consistent with an expected enhancement factor of up to 11 for the molecular emission into the nanoguide. Future efforts will aim at efficient coupling of a handful of molecules via their interaction with a ring microresonator mode, setting the ground for the realization of quantum optical cooperative effects.
Nanoprinting organic molecules at the quantum level
Claudio U. Hail,
Christian Höller,
Korenobu Matsuzaki,
Patrik Rohner,
Jan Renger,
Vahid Sandoghdar,
Dimos Poulikakos,
Hadi Eghlidi
Organic compounds present a powerful platform for nanotechnological applications. In particular, molecules suitable for optical functionalities such as single photon generation and energy transfer have great promise for complex nanophotonic circuitry due to their large variety of spectral properties, efficient absorption and emission, and ease of synthesis. Optimal integration, however, calls for control over position and orientation of individual molecules. While various methods have been explored for reaching this regime in the past, none satisfies requirements necessary for practical applications. Here, we present direct non-contact electrohydrodynamic nanoprinting of a countable number of photostable and oriented molecules in a nanocrystal host with subwavelength positioning accuracy. We demonstrate the power of our approach by writing arbitrary patterns and controlled coupling of single molecules to the near field of optical nanostructures. Placement precision, high yield and fabrication facility of our method open many doors for the realization of novel nanophotonic devices.
