Semiconductor Quantum Structures and Devices

Semiconductor quantum structures are nanoscale regions of matter—most notably quantum dots—engineered so that electrons and holes are confined tightly enough that quantum mechanical effects dominate their behavior, producing discrete energy levels much like those of atoms. When an electron and hole pair, called an exciton, recombines in such a structure, it can release a single photon on demand or generate pairs of entangled photons, properties that make these devices attractive for quantum communication and photonic quantum computing. Embedding a quantum dot inside a microcavity amplifies and directs that optical emission with high efficiency, and a central challenge is understanding how the dot's band structure and coupling to the cavity environment together determine the purity and indistinguishability of the emitted photons. Researchers are actively working to push these sources closer to ideal performance—high brightness, near-perfect photon indistinguishability, and on-chip electrical operation—while also seeking materials and fabrication routes that bring operating temperatures closer to room temperature.

Works

167,609

Total citations

1,981,476

Keywords

Quantum DotsSemiconductorSingle-Photon SourceExcitonsMicrocavityBand Parameters