Using Light to Prepare and Probe an Electron Spin in a Quantum Dot
Abstract
Electrical charge is the fundamental physical quantity that makes modern electronic devices possible. However, recent advances in nanofabrication and materials physics have created the opportunity to use electron spin for next-generation devices. Spin is a quantum mechanical property with great potential to bring about entirely new technologies for computing, communications, and encryption. All of these applications require the ability to prepare electrons in specific spin states and to measure those states following a sequence of operations. We have recently demonstrated optical pumping and measurement of individual electron spins in quantum dots (QDs). Circularly polarized laser light excites a specific spin state of the dot. We achieve spin-selective detection through the energy and magnetic field response of subsequent luminescence, which reveals clear signatures of our prior spin state preparation. These results lay the groundwork for using individual semiconductor electron spins as addressable logic elements for quantum information processing and quantum communication.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA524790
Entities
People
- A. L. Efros
- Allan S. Bracker
- Andrew R. Shabaev
- D. Gammon
- Doewon Park
- E. A. Stinaff
- J. G. Tischler
- Morgan E Ware
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory