AI Insight
This review article examines the use of single organic molecules, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as single-photon sources for quantum technologies. At cryogenic temperatures, these molecules exhibit exceptional optical properties including negligible dephasing, high photostability, and elevated photon emission rates, making them strong candidates for solid-state quantum emitter systems. The article also addresses practical aspects such as sample preparation, key emitter parameters including absorption and emission spectra and excited-state lifetime, and light extraction strategies necessary for functional single-photon source devices.
Why it matters
Reliable single-photon sources are a foundational requirement for quantum communication, quantum computing, and quantum cryptography, and organic molecules offer a potentially scalable and reproducible alternative to other quantum emitter platforms such as quantum dots or color centers in diamond.
arXiv:2602.17428v2 Announce Type: replace-cross
Abstract: The development of single-photon sources has been nothing but rapid in recent years, with quantum emitter-based systems showing especially impressive progress. In this article, we give an overview of the developments in single-photon sources based on single molecules. We will introduce polycyclic hydrocarbons as the most commonly used emitter systems for the realization of an organic solid-state single-photon source. At cryogenic temperatures this special class of fluorescent molecules demonstrates remarkable optical properties such as negligible dephasing, indefinite photostability, and high photon rates, which make them attractive as fundamental building blocks in emerging quantum technologies. To better understand the general properties and limitations of these molecules, we discuss sample preparation and relevant emitter parameters such as absorption and emission spectra, lifetime, and dephasing. We will also give an overview of light extraction strategies as a crucial part of a single-photon source. Finally, we conclude with a look into the future, displaying current challenges and possible solutions.