Using a nanomanipulation technique a nanodiamond with a single nitrogen vacancy center is placed directly on the surface of a gallium phosphide photonic crystal cavity.A Purcell-enhancement of the fluorescence emission at the zero phonon line (ZPL) by a factor of 12.1 is observed. The ZPL coupling is a first crucial step towards future diamond-based integrated quantum optical devices.

We propose and demonstrate a hybrid cavity system in which metal nanoparticles are evanescently coupled to a dielectric photonic crystal cavity using a nanoassembly method. While the metal constituents lead to strongly localized fields, optical feedback is provided by the surrounding photonic crystal structure. The combined effect of plasmonic field enhancement and high quality factor (Q approximately 900) opens new routes for the control of light-matter interaction at the nanoscale.

We demonstrate the controlled coupling of a single diamond nanocrystal to a planar photonic crystal double-heterostructure cavity. A dip-pen deposition method and subsequent manipulation with an atomic force microscope was used to precisely position the nanocrystal on top of the cavity. The optical properties of this combined system are investigated with regard to changes in the quality factor and resonance wavelength of the cavity mode as a function of the size and relative position of the diamond nanocrystal. These studies represent an important step toward well-controlled cavity-QED experiments with single-defect centers in diamond.

Photonic crystal (PC) nanocavities based on silicon nitride membranes are studied as tools for the manipulation of spontaneous emission in the wavelength range between 550 nm and 800 nm. We observe a strong modification of the fluorescence spectrum of dye molecules spin-cast on top of the PC, indicating an efficient coupling of the dye emission to the cavity modes. The cavity design is optimized with respect to the quality factor and values of nearly 1500 are achieved experimentally. Taking into account the small mode volume, which leads to a strong Purcell enhancement, these nanocavities enable the realization of efficient single photon sources in the visible region of the spectrum. Furthermore, their fabrication is fully compatible with existing CMOS technology, making an integration into more complex optoelectronic devices feasible.

Passive layers on nickel and their change by the action of fluoride have been studied by surface analyses such as x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and low energy ion scattering (ISS). The thickness of the layers is deduced from the height of the XPS signals normalNi2normalp3/2 , O1s, and F1s and their attenuation by covering layers. Argon sputtering gives information on the in‐depth structure of the passivating films in combination with XPS and the higher depth resolution of ISS. Their thickness and chemical composition change with the electrode potential and the time of exposure to HF . A multilayer structure is found with an inner oxide and outer hydroxide film and, in a higher potential range, a fluoride layer in between. The layer structure shows a close correspondence to the results of the electrochemical examination.

We report on the fabrication and optical characterization of photonic crystal (PC) double-heterostructure cavities made from silicon nitride (SiN). The intrinsic luminescence of the SiN membranes was used as an internal light source in the visible wavelength range (600–700nm) to study the quality factor and polarization properties of the cavity modes. Quality factors of up to 3400 were found experimentally, which represents the highest value reported so far in low-index PCs. These results highlight the role of SiN as a promising material system for PC devices in the visible.

We demonstrate the ability to modify the emission properties and enhance the interaction strength of single-photon emitters coupled to nanophotonic structures based on metals and dielectrics. Assembly of individual diamond nanocrystals, metal nanoparticles, and photonic crystal cavities to metastructures is introduced. Experiments concerning controlled coupling of single defect centers in nanodiamonds to optical nanoantennas made of gold bowtie structures are reviewed. By placing one and the same emitter at various locations with high precision, a map of decay rate enhancements was obtained. Furthermore, we demonstrate the formation of a hybrid cavity quantum electrodynamics system in which a single defect center is coupled to a single mode of a gallium phosphite photonic crystal cavity.

Tremendous enhancement of light-matter interaction in plasmonic-dielectric hybrid devices allows for non-linearities at the level of single emitters and few photons, such as single photon transistors. However, constructing integrated components for such devices is technologically extremely challenging. We tackle this task by lithographically fabricating an on-chip plasmonic waveguide-structure connected to far-field in- and out-coupling ports via low-loss dielectric waveguides. We precisely describe our lithographic approach and characterize the fabricated integrated chip. We find excellent agreement with rigorous numerical simulations. Based on these findings we perform a numerical optimization and calculate concrete numbers for a plasmonic single-photon transistor.