Remote detection of single emitters via optical waveguides

Patrick Then, Gary Razinskas, Thorsten Feichtner, Philippe Haas, Andreas Wild, Nicola Bellini, Roberto Osellame, Giulio Cerullo, and Bert Hecht
Phys. Rev. A 89, 053801 – Published 1 May 2014

Abstract

The integration of lab-on-a-chip technologies with single-molecule detection techniques may enable new applications in analytical chemistry, biotechnology, and medicine. We describe a method based on the reciprocity theorem of electromagnetic theory to determine and optimize the detection efficiency of photons emitted by single quantum emitters through truncated dielectric waveguides of arbitrary shape positioned in their proximity. We demonstrate experimentally that detection of single quantum emitters via such waveguides is possible, confirming the predicted behavior of the detection efficiency. Our findings blaze the trail towards efficient lensless single-emitter detection compatible with large-scale optofluidic integration.

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  • Received 27 February 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.89.053801

©2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Patrick Then1, Gary Razinskas1, Thorsten Feichtner1,*, Philippe Haas2,†, Andreas Wild2,‡, Nicola Bellini3,§, Roberto Osellame3, Giulio Cerullo3, and Bert Hecht1,∥

  • 1Nano-Optics & Biophotonics Group, Department of Experimental Physics 5, Röntgen Research Center for Complex Materials (RCCM), Physics Institute, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
  • 2Augenzentrum Bern, Länggassstrasse 18, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
  • 3Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie - CNR and Dipartimento di Fisica - Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. Da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy

  • *Currently with Max-Planck-Institute for the Science of Light, Günther-Scharowski-Str. 1, Bldg. 24, 91058 Erlangen.
  • Currently with Clinic St. Anna, Lucerne, Hirslandengruppe, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Anna-Strasse 32, 6006 Lucerne, Switzerland.
  • Currently with Augenklinik Hohmad, Hohmad Privatklinik Thun, CH-3600 Thun, Switzerland.
  • §Currently with SUPA, School of Physics, and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, KY16 9SS St. Andrews, Scotland, UK.
  • To whom correspondence should be addressed: hecht@physik.uni-wuerzburg.de

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Issue

Vol. 89, Iss. 5 — May 2014

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