Single-photon emitter based on an ensemble of lattice-trapped interacting atoms

Precisely controlling the atom number challenges the single-photon generation based on an individual neutral atom in experiments. A straightforward solution is to directly produce single photons via a number of atoms. We theoretically investigate such a single-photon emitter in which a bunch of Sr atoms are tightly confined in a blue-detuned optical lattice and weakly driven by an external field. The strong long-range interatomic interactions inducing large excitation-energy shifts results in a significant suppression of multiphoton emission. We consider two common approaches, which are widely used in experiments to generate single photons, in detail. The results indicate a potential to built up a single-photon source based on an ensemble of interacting atoms.