The Truncated Metallo-dielectric Omnidirectional Reflector: Collecting Single Photons in the Fundamental Gaussian Mode with 95% Efficiency

We propose a novel antenna structure that funnels single photons from a single emitter with unprecedented efficiency into a low-divergence fundamental Gaussian mode. Our device relies on the concept of creating an omnidirectional photonic bandgap to inhibit unwanted large-angle emission and to enhance small-angle defect-guided-mode emission. The new photon collection strategy is intuitively illustrated, rigorously verified, and optimized by implementing an efficient, body-of-revolution, finite-difference, time-domain method for in-plane dipole emitters. We investigate a few antenna designs to cover various boundary conditions posed by fabrication processes or material restrictions and theoretically demonstrate that collection efficiencies into the fundamental Gaussian mode exceeding 95% are achievable. Our antennas are broadband, insensitive to fabrication imperfections and compatible with a variety of solid-state emitters such as organic molecules, quantum dots, and defect centers in diamond. Unidirectional and low-divergence Gaussian-mode emission from a single emitter may enable the realization of a variety of photonic quantum computer architectures as well as highly efficient lightmatter interfaces.