Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Spin-Photon Entanglement and Quantum Optics with Single Quantum Dots.

John R. Schaibley

Published Jan 1, 2013• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

InAs quantum dots (QDs) can be used as optically coupled quantum storage devices for quantum information applications. The QD can be charged with a single electron, where the spin state (up or down) provides a long lived quantum bit (qubit). The QD's optically excited states are used to initialize, manipulate, and read out the electron spin state with laser pulses. However, most practical quantum information applications require many interacting qubits, forming a quantum network. Since QDs are based on semiconductor technology, and are compatible with standard nano-fabrication processing, there is promise that they can provide a solid state platform where a scalable quantum information architecture is realizable. We focus on scaling the QD system to multiple qubits using intermediate spin-photon entangled states. In this work, experimental and theoretical techniques are developed to study the QD-light matter interaction at the single photon level. Resonance fluorescence from a single QD is experimentally realized, and the single photon nature of the scattered radiation is verified through intensity correlation experiments. Transient fluorescence measurements on resonantly excited QDs are performed using time correlated single photon counting techniques to measure the excited state lifetime. High speed electro-optic modulators are used to time gate narrow bandwidth lasers, so that a QD can be driven under step-wise excitation, allowing for the direct observation of time-dependent optical Rabi oscillations. From these measurements, we are able to extract a decoherence rate which is consistent with the lifetime limit, indicating that pure dephasing is negligible in this system. These techniques are applied to the QD spin system to demonstrate a spin-photon entangled state, by performing correlation measurements on the spin and photon state in two bases. A lower bound on the entanglement fidelity of 0.59(4) is achieved, which exceeds the classical limit of 0.5 by more than two standard deviations. The entanglement fidelity is limited primarily by the finite timing resolution of available single photon detectors. Taking this into account, we achieve 84% of the apparatus limited fidelity. These spin-entangled photons can be used to mediate entanglement between distant QD spins, providing the basis of an optically coupled QD spin network.

Related papers

Photon-mediated entanglement of electron spins in a dynamic solid-state environment

Megan Stanley

Self-assembled quantum dots can act as an interface between single spins and photons. They combine the flexibility and scalability of semiconductor systems with near-perfect two level systems, emitting highly coherent single photons. In potential quantum information processing architectures based upon optical networks, quantum dots permit light-matter coupling between matter qubits and photonic links. Single trapped charge carriers in quantum dots can be addressed optically, generating spin-photon entanglement between the matter qubits and \lq flying' photon qubits, a key first step in creation of a network. Such an optically linked network of spins in quantum dots has yet to be realized. The semiconductor environment presents a key challenge; it broadens the spectrum of the emitted light, which reduces the fidelity of schemes based upon photon exchange or interference. In addition, these quantum dots are subject to hyperfine coupling to a bath of $>$ 10$^{5}$ nuclear spins. While this presents an opportunity to study the physics of a central spin in a spin bath, it degrades the spin coherence of a trapped electron or hole. The suggested gate operations to generate entanglement, and the spin measurements to verify a created state, rely upon photon detection. Thus a second limitation occurs due to low efficiency of detectors and photon collection probability. Recent developments in detector technology have enabled us to bring generation and verification of entangled states with quantum dots into the realm of possibility. This dissertation begins with a detailed study of the interaction of a single electron spin with the solid state environment of the quantum dot, analysing the intensity noise of scattered light under resonant excitation to uncover the timescales and relative amplitudes of identified noise sources. A technique for rapid characterization of samples is presented, focusing in particular upon comparison of spectral broadening of the optical transitions relevant to a spin-photon interface. Having identified the extent of environmental factors acting upon the quantum dots, we turn to a demonstration of photon-mediated entanglement between two distant electron spins using a probabilistic scheme. We are able to generate entangled states at 7 kHz, the fastest yet reported for photon-mediated protocols. The average state fidelity of the created Bell states is 63.5 $\pm$ 3.0 \%., violating the classical limit by over 4 standard deviations of the mean. In addition, we demonstrate full optical phase tuning of the Bell state $|{\Psi} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\left(|{\uparrow}|{\downarrow} + e^{i\phi}|{\downarrow}|{\uparrow} \right)$. This is a proof of principle experiment, and sets a fidelity benchmark upon which gains can be made by mitigation of environmental dynamics.

•Dec 21, 2016•0 citations

Demonstration of Quantum Entanglement between a Single Electron Spin Confined to an InAs Quantum Dot and a Photon

John R. Schaibley, A. P. Burgers, Gregory A. McCracken +6 more

The electron spin state of a singly charged semiconductor quantum dot has been shown to form a suitable single qubit for quantum computing architectures with fast gate times. A key challenge in realizing a useful quantum dot quantum computing architecture lies in demonstrating the ability to scale the system to many qubits. In this Letter, we report an all optical experimental demonstration of quantum entanglement between a single electron spin confined to a single charged semiconductor quantum dot and the polarization state of a photon spontaneously emitted from the quantum dot's excited state. We obtain a lower bound on the fidelity of entanglement of 0.59±0.04, which is 84% of the maximum achievable given the timing resolution of available single photon detectors. In future applications, such as measurement-based spin-spin entanglement which does not require sub-nanosecond timing resolution, we estimate that this system would enable near ideal performance. The inferred (usable) entanglement generation rate is 3×10(3) s(-1). This spin-photon entanglement is the first step to a scalable quantum dot quantum computing architecture relying on photon (flying) qubits to mediate entanglement between distant nodes of a quantum dot network.

arXiv:1210.5555•Physical Review Letters•Apr 16, 2013•150 citations

Coherent Optical Control of Quantum Dots: Spin Qubits and Flying Qubits

A. P. Burgers

Coherent control of solid-state qubits lies at the heart of most quantum information architectures. In quantum dots (QDs), optical fields are an attractive medium for qubit manipulation and readout. The entanglement between a QD spin qubit and an emitted photonic qubit allows for the transport of quantum information between distant quantum memories via decoherence resistant photon channels. I will present recent experimental work showing the entanglement between a single electron spin confined to an InAs QD and its spontaneously emitted photon. This entanglement is significant for the further development of quantum information technologies using QDs and forms the foundation of on-chip technologies using photonic crystal pathways. In addition, I will discuss on-going work on teleportation of information from a single photon generated in a spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) process to a QD spin through intermediate interference between the SPDC photon and the dot’s emitted photon. The ability to integrate two quantum information platforms is not only exciting in its own right, but this technique could allow for an entanglement swapping bridge between other matter-qubit (ions, NV centers, etc.) based quantum memories.

Bulletin of the American Physical Society•Mar 2, 2015•0 citations

Coherent photons from a solid-state artificial atom

Clemens Matthiesen

Single spins confined in semiconductor quantum dots - artificial atoms in the solid-state - are attractive candidates for quantum mechanical bits, the fundamental units and building blocks of a quantum computer. The ability to address quantum dot spins optically allows us to initialise and manipulate the state of the quantum bit. Gaining information on the qubit, for example by reading out its state, not only requires state-selective optical excitation, but also access to the single photons scattered in response by the quantum dot. Further, for a distributed computer architecture where nodes of few quantum bits are interlinked via optical communication channels photonic quantum bits are required to faithfully transmit the quantum information. In this thesis we advocate resonant excitation of quantum dot transitions and collection of the resonance fluorescence to address two outstanding challenges: generating dephasing-free single photons for use as flying quantum bits and single-shot spin readout. To this end we investigate the spectral and first-order coherence properties of quantum dot resonance fluorescence. In particular, we directly observe highly coherent scattering in the low Rabi frequency limit which has remained unexplored for solid-state single photon emitters so far. At the same time, interactions with the semiconductor environment are revealed and quantified through their optical signatures: exciton-phonon coupling, nuclear spin dynamics and local electric field fluctuations signal a departure from the ideal atom-like behaviour. Taking advantage of the laser-like coherence of single phase-locked quantum dot photons in the Heitler regime, we demonstrate near-ideal two-photon quantum interference. This benchmark measurement is a precursor for the photonic entanglement of distant quantum dot spins in a quantum optical network, and the results here predict a high fidelity operation. Finally, moving to tunnel-coupled quantum dot molecules we show that the overlap of carrier wave functions in two closely spaced quantum dots forms new spin-selective optical transitions not available in single quantum dots. Then, the presence or absence of scattered photons reveals the electron spin. Intermittency in the quantum dot resonance fluorescence allowed us, for the first time, to observe spin quantum jumps in real-time. Both achievements - highly coherent photons and spin readout - provide the missing link to attempt creation of a small-scale quantum network now.

•Oct 8, 2013•0 citations

Ultrafast optical control of individual quantum dot spin qubits

Kristiaan De Greve, David Press, Peter L. McMahon +1 more

Single spins in semiconductor quantum dots form a promising platform for solid-state quantum information processing. The spin-up and spin-down states of a single electron or hole, trapped inside a quantum dot, can represent a single qubit with a reasonably long decoherence time. The spin qubit can be optically coupled to excited (charged exciton) states that are also trapped in the quantum dot, which provides a mechanism to quickly initialize, manipulate and measure the spin state with optical pulses, and to interface between a stationary matter qubit and a 'flying' photonic qubit for quantum communication and distributed quantum information processing. The interaction of the spin qubit with light may be enhanced by placing the quantum dot inside a monolithic microcavity. An entire system, consisting of a two-dimensional array of quantum dots and a planar microcavity, may plausibly be constructed by modern semiconductor nano-fabrication technology and could offer a path toward chip-sized scalable quantum repeaters and quantum computers. This article reviews the recent experimental developments in optical control of single quantum dot spins for quantum information processing. We highlight demonstrations of a complete set of all-optical single-qubit operations on a single quantum dot spin: initialization, an arbitrary SU(2) gate, and measurement. We review the decoherence and dephasing mechanisms due to hyperfine interaction with the nuclear-spin bath, and show how the single-qubit operations can be combined to perform spin echo sequences that extend the qubit decoherence from a few nanoseconds to several microseconds, more than 5 orders of magnitude longer than the single-qubit gate time. Two-qubit coupling is discussed, both within a single chip by means of exchange coupling of nearby spins and optically induced geometric phases, as well as over longer-distances. Long-distance spin-spin entanglement can be generated if each spin can emit a photon that is entangled with the spin, and these photons are then interfered. We review recent work demonstrating entanglement between a stationary spin qubit and a flying photonic qubit. These experiments utilize the polarization- and frequency-dependent spontaneous emission from the lowest charged exciton state to single spin Zeeman sublevels.

Reports on Progress in Physics•Sep 1, 2013•69 citations

The Coherent Optical Spectroscopy and Control of an Electron Spin in a Self-Assembled Quantum Dot for Quantum Computing.

Erik D. Kim

Self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) containing a single electron are one of the leading candidate systems for the realization of a quantum computer. The spin states of charges confined in these dots have been shown to possess a number of qualities that are attractive for use as the quantum bits (qubits) in quantum computing implementations, particularly their long lifetimes and coherence times. In addition, these spin qubits may be controlled optically, offering the prospect of ultrafast qubit gate operations, a crucial necessity for the execution of quantum algorithms. Due to the weak interaction of self-assembled QDs with light, however, the coherent optical control and read-out of the spin states of charged self-assembled QDs has proven to be a considerable challenge. This thesis presents two sets of experiments demonstrating the coherent optical control and read-out of the quantum states of a self-assembled InAs QD containing a single electron. The first utilizes mode-locked picosecond optical pulses to control the optical transitions in the dot and to detect QD level occupations. These capabilities are used to observe transient phenomena in a singly charged InAs QD such as the generation and decay of excited state population and spin precession. Further, Rabi oscillations between the electron and the lowest-lying excited state are observed, demonstrating the ability to coherently control the optical transitions of the QD, a prerequisite for spin control. These results are built upon in the second set of experiments, in which a combination of optical pulses, an externally applied DC magnetic field and a continuous-wave (CW) optical field are employed to initialize and completely control the states of a QD confined electron spin. Spin control by the use of pulse-driven two-photon Raman processes, spin precession about the external magnetic field and geometric phases generated by CW-driven cyclic evolutions in the dot is demonstrated. A number of spin qubit gate operations are shown for these spin control mechanisms, forming a foundational set of single qubit gates required for the implementation of quantum computing with singly charged self-assembled QDs.

•Jan 1, 2009•1 citation
InAs quantum dots (QDs) can be used as optically coupled quantum storage devices for quantum information applications. The QD can be charged with a single electron, where the spin state (up or down) provides a long lived quantum bit (qubit). The QD's optically excited states are used to initialize, manipulate, and read out the electron spin state with laser pulses. However, most practical quantum information applications require many interacting qubits, forming a quantum network. Since QDs are based on semiconductor technology, and are compatible with standard nano-fabrication processing, there is promise that they can provide a solid state platform where a scalable quantum information architecture is realizable. We focus on scaling the QD system to multiple qubits using intermediate spin-photon entangled states. In this work, experimental and theoretical techniques are developed to study the QD-light matter interaction at the single photon level. Resonance fluorescence from a single QD is experimentally realized, and the single photon nature of the scattered radiation is verified through intensity correlation experiments. Transient fluorescence measurements on resonantly excited QDs are performed using time correlated single photon counting techniques to measure the excited state lifetime. High speed electro-optic modulators are used to time gate narrow bandwidth lasers, so that a QD can be driven under step-wise excitation, allowing for the direct observation of time-dependent optical Rabi oscillations. From these measurements, we are able to extract a decoherence rate which is consistent with the lifetime limit, indicating that pure dephasing is negligible in this system. These techniques are applied to the QD spin system to demonstrate a spin-photon entangled state, by performing correlation measurements on the spin and photon state in two bases. A lower bound on the entanglement fidelity of 0.59(4) is achieved, which exceeds the classical limit of 0.5 by more than two standard deviations. The entanglement fidelity is limited primarily by the finite timing resolution of available single photon detectors. Taking this into account, we achieve 84% of the apparatus limited fidelity. These spin-entangled photons can be used to mediate entanglement between distant QD spins, providing the basis of an optically coupled QD spin network.
Self-assembled quantum dots can act as an interface between single spins and photons. They combine the flexibility and scalability of semiconductor systems with near-perfect two level systems, emitting highly coherent single photons. In potential quantum information processing architectures based upon optical networks, quantum dots permit light-matter coupling between matter qubits and photonic links. Single trapped charge carriers in quantum dots can be addressed optically, generating spin-photon entanglement between the matter qubits and \lq flying' photon qubits, a key first step in creation of a network. Such an optically linked network of spins in quantum dots has yet to be realized. The semiconductor environment presents a key challenge; it broadens the spectrum of the emitted light, which reduces the fidelity of schemes based upon photon exchange or interference. In addition, these quantum dots are subject to hyperfine coupling to a bath of >>> 105^{5}5 nuclear spins. While this presents an opportunity to study the physics of a central spin in a spin bath, it degrades the spin coherence of a trapped electron or hole. The suggested gate operations to generate entanglement, and the spin measurements to verify a created state, rely upon photon detection. Thus a second limitation occurs due to low efficiency of detectors and photon collection probability. Recent developments in detector technology have enabled us to bring generation and verification of entangled states with quantum dots into the realm of possibility. This dissertation begins with a detailed study of the interaction of a single electron spin with the solid state environment of the quantum dot, analysing the intensity noise of scattered light under resonant excitation to uncover the timescales and relative amplitudes of identified noise sources. A technique for rapid characterization of samples is presented, focusing in particular upon comparison of spectral broadening of the optical transitions relevant to a spin-photon interface. Having identified the extent of environmental factors acting upon the quantum dots, we turn to a demonstration of photon-mediated entanglement between two distant electron spins using a probabilistic scheme. We are able to generate entangled states at 7 kHz, the fastest yet reported for photon-mediated protocols. The average state fidelity of the created Bell states is 63.5 ±\pm± 3.0 \%., violating the classical limit by over 4 standard deviations of the mean. In addition, we demonstrate full optical phase tuning of the Bell state ∣Ψ=12(∣↑∣↓+eiϕ∣↓∣↑)|{\Psi} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\left(|{\uparrow}|{\downarrow} + e^{i\phi}|{\downarrow}|{\uparrow} \right)∣Ψ=2​1​(∣↑∣↓+eiϕ∣↓∣↑). This is a proof of principle experiment, and sets a fidelity benchmark upon which gains can be made by mitigation of environmental dynamics.
The electron spin state of a singly charged semiconductor quantum dot has been shown to form a suitable single qubit for quantum computing architectures with fast gate times. A key challenge in realizing a useful quantum dot quantum computing architecture lies in demonstrating the ability to scale the system to many qubits. In this Letter, we report an all optical experimental demonstration of quantum entanglement between a single electron spin confined to a single charged semiconductor quantum dot and the polarization state of a photon spontaneously emitted from the quantum dot's excited state. We obtain a lower bound on the fidelity of entanglement of 0.59±0.04, which is 84% of the maximum achievable given the timing resolution of available single photon detectors. In future applications, such as measurement-based spin-spin entanglement which does not require sub-nanosecond timing resolution, we estimate that this system would enable near ideal performance. The inferred (usable) entanglement generation rate is 3×10(3) s(-1). This spin-photon entanglement is the first step to a scalable quantum dot quantum computing architecture relying on photon (flying) qubits to mediate entanglement between distant nodes of a quantum dot network.
Coherent control of solid-state qubits lies at the heart of most quantum information architectures. In quantum dots (QDs), optical fields are an attractive medium for qubit manipulation and readout. The entanglement between a QD spin qubit and an emitted photonic qubit allows for the transport of quantum information between distant quantum memories via decoherence resistant photon channels. I will present recent experimental work showing the entanglement between a single electron spin confined to an InAs QD and its spontaneously emitted photon. This entanglement is significant for the further development of quantum information technologies using QDs and forms the foundation of on-chip technologies using photonic crystal pathways. In addition, I will discuss on-going work on teleportation of information from a single photon generated in a spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) process to a QD spin through intermediate interference between the SPDC photon and the dot’s emitted photon. The ability to integrate two quantum information platforms is not only exciting in its own right, but this technique could allow for an entanglement swapping bridge between other matter-qubit (ions, NV centers, etc.) based quantum memories.
Single spins confined in semiconductor quantum dots - artificial atoms in the solid-state - are attractive candidates for quantum mechanical bits, the fundamental units and building blocks of a quantum computer. The ability to address quantum dot spins optically allows us to initialise and manipulate the state of the quantum bit. Gaining information on the qubit, for example by reading out its state, not only requires state-selective optical excitation, but also access to the single photons scattered in response by the quantum dot. Further, for a distributed computer architecture where nodes of few quantum bits are interlinked via optical communication channels photonic quantum bits are required to faithfully transmit the quantum information. In this thesis we advocate resonant excitation of quantum dot transitions and collection of the resonance fluorescence to address two outstanding challenges: generating dephasing-free single photons for use as flying quantum bits and single-shot spin readout. To this end we investigate the spectral and first-order coherence properties of quantum dot resonance fluorescence. In particular, we directly observe highly coherent scattering in the low Rabi frequency limit which has remained unexplored for solid-state single photon emitters so far. At the same time, interactions with the semiconductor environment are revealed and quantified through their optical signatures: exciton-phonon coupling, nuclear spin dynamics and local electric field fluctuations signal a departure from the ideal atom-like behaviour. Taking advantage of the laser-like coherence of single phase-locked quantum dot photons in the Heitler regime, we demonstrate near-ideal two-photon quantum interference. This benchmark measurement is a precursor for the photonic entanglement of distant quantum dot spins in a quantum optical network, and the results here predict a high fidelity operation. Finally, moving to tunnel-coupled quantum dot molecules we show that the overlap of carrier wave functions in two closely spaced quantum dots forms new spin-selective optical transitions not available in single quantum dots. Then, the presence or absence of scattered photons reveals the electron spin. Intermittency in the quantum dot resonance fluorescence allowed us, for the first time, to observe spin quantum jumps in real-time. Both achievements - highly coherent photons and spin readout - provide the missing link to attempt creation of a small-scale quantum network now.
Single spins in semiconductor quantum dots form a promising platform for solid-state quantum information processing. The spin-up and spin-down states of a single electron or hole, trapped inside a quantum dot, can represent a single qubit with a reasonably long decoherence time. The spin qubit can be optically coupled to excited (charged exciton) states that are also trapped in the quantum dot, which provides a mechanism to quickly initialize, manipulate and measure the spin state with optical pulses, and to interface between a stationary matter qubit and a 'flying' photonic qubit for quantum communication and distributed quantum information processing. The interaction of the spin qubit with light may be enhanced by placing the quantum dot inside a monolithic microcavity. An entire system, consisting of a two-dimensional array of quantum dots and a planar microcavity, may plausibly be constructed by modern semiconductor nano-fabrication technology and could offer a path toward chip-sized scalable quantum repeaters and quantum computers. This article reviews the recent experimental developments in optical control of single quantum dot spins for quantum information processing. We highlight demonstrations of a complete set of all-optical single-qubit operations on a single quantum dot spin: initialization, an arbitrary SU(2) gate, and measurement. We review the decoherence and dephasing mechanisms due to hyperfine interaction with the nuclear-spin bath, and show how the single-qubit operations can be combined to perform spin echo sequences that extend the qubit decoherence from a few nanoseconds to several microseconds, more than 5 orders of magnitude longer than the single-qubit gate time. Two-qubit coupling is discussed, both within a single chip by means of exchange coupling of nearby spins and optically induced geometric phases, as well as over longer-distances. Long-distance spin-spin entanglement can be generated if each spin can emit a photon that is entangled with the spin, and these photons are then interfered. We review recent work demonstrating entanglement between a stationary spin qubit and a flying photonic qubit. These experiments utilize the polarization- and frequency-dependent spontaneous emission from the lowest charged exciton state to single spin Zeeman sublevels.
Self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) containing a single electron are one of the leading candidate systems for the realization of a quantum computer. The spin states of charges confined in these dots have been shown to possess a number of qualities that are attractive for use as the quantum bits (qubits) in quantum computing implementations, particularly their long lifetimes and coherence times. In addition, these spin qubits may be controlled optically, offering the prospect of ultrafast qubit gate operations, a crucial necessity for the execution of quantum algorithms. Due to the weak interaction of self-assembled QDs with light, however, the coherent optical control and read-out of the spin states of charged self-assembled QDs has proven to be a considerable challenge. This thesis presents two sets of experiments demonstrating the coherent optical control and read-out of the quantum states of a self-assembled InAs QD containing a single electron. The first utilizes mode-locked picosecond optical pulses to control the optical transitions in the dot and to detect QD level occupations. These capabilities are used to observe transient phenomena in a singly charged InAs QD such as the generation and decay of excited state population and spin precession. Further, Rabi oscillations between the electron and the lowest-lying excited state are observed, demonstrating the ability to coherently control the optical transitions of the QD, a prerequisite for spin control. These results are built upon in the second set of experiments, in which a combination of optical pulses, an externally applied DC magnetic field and a continuous-wave (CW) optical field are employed to initialize and completely control the states of a QD confined electron spin. Spin control by the use of pulse-driven two-photon Raman processes, spin precession about the external magnetic field and geometric phases generated by CW-driven cyclic evolutions in the dot is demonstrated. A number of spin qubit gate operations are shown for these spin control mechanisms, forming a foundational set of single qubit gates required for the implementation of quantum computing with singly charged self-assembled QDs.