Patent ID: 10074771

Abstract:
A single-photon source was developed and the source comprises at least one active solid body, which upon excitation with light haying photons which each have excitation energy, emits a single photon having lower emission energy within a predefined time period. The active solid body is disposed on a surface or an interface of an electrically operated light source for photons having the excitation energy, so that the solid body can be excited through this surface or interface. It was found that the ease of handling and the ability to miniaturize electrical primary light sources can thus advantageously be combined with the ability of the active solid body to emit exactly one photon. Since the active solid body emits only a single photon within a predefined time period, it is no longer a disadvantage if the light source that is used for excitation emits a large number of photons per unit of time. This opens a way to mass-produce single-photon sources, among other things.