Self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots currently have the highest overall single photon source (SPS) performance, but one of the limiting factors for the brightness is the extraction of single...Show moreSelf-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots currently have the highest overall single photon source (SPS) performance, but one of the limiting factors for the brightness is the extraction of single photons from the excitation laser pulse. Since the SPS is excited resonantly for maximal indistinguishability, a difference in polarization is used to extract the single photons from the incident excitation laser light. In this work we studied ways to maximize the collection of single photons and the brightness of the SPS both experimentally and theoretically. The system of a quantum dot in an optical cavity was simulated semi classically. Two new brighter configurations for the input and output polarization were found, one through analytical analysis and one with an optimization algorithm. These two new polarization configurations were tested in the lab along with the configuration that is conventionally used, which resulted in an SPS which was {\em twice} (analytical analysis) and {\em three} times (optimization algorithm) as bright as the conventional configuration. We show that the brightness can be improved by another factor of three through optimizing one of the sample dependent parameters determined in sample fabrication.Show less
