We show that a three-level lambda quantum emitter with equal spontaneous emission rates on both optically active transitions can absorb an incident light field with a probability approaching unity, provided that the focused light profile matches that of the emitter dipole emission pattern. Even with realistic focusing geometries, our results could find applications in long-distance entanglement of spin qubits.
@article{arxiv.0707.2037,
title = {Single photon absorption by a single quantum emitter},
author = {D. Pinotsi and A. Imamoglu},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0707.2037},
year = {2009}
}