Optical Spin Initialization and Non-Destructive Measurement in a Quantum Dot Molecule

The spin of an electron in a self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dot molecule is optically prepared and measured through the trion triplet states. A longitudinal magnetic field is used to tune two of the trion states into resonance, forming a superposition state through asymmetric spin exchange. As a result, spin-flip Raman transitions can be used for optical spin initialization, while separate trion states enable cycling transitions for non-destructive measurement. With two-laser transmission spectroscopy we demonstrate both operations simultaneously, something not previously accomplished in a single quantum dot.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let

Photoluminescence Spectroscopy of the Molecular Biexciton in Vertically Stacked Quantum Dot Pairs

We present photoluminescence studies of the molecular neutral biexciton-exciton spectra of individual vertically stacked InAs/GaAs quantum dot pairs. We tune either the hole or the electron levels of the two dots into tunneling resonances. The spectra are described well within a few-level, few-particle molecular model. Their properties can be modified broadly by an electric field and by structural design, which makes them highly attractive for controlling nonlinear optical properties.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, (v2, revision based on reviewers comments, published

Optically-controlled single-qubit rotations in self-assembled InAs quantum dots

We present a theory of the optical control of the spin of an electron in an InAs quantum dot. We show how two Raman-detuned laser pulses can be used to obtain arbitrary single-qubit rotations via the excitation of an intermediate trion state. Our theory takes into account a finite in-plane hole $g$-factor and hole-mixing. We show that such rotations can be performed to high fidelities with pulses lasting a few tens of picoseconds.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures; minor changes, J-ref adde

Internal transitions of quasi-2D charged magneto-excitons in the presence of purposely introduced weak lateral potential energy variations

Optically detected resonance spectroscopy has been used to investigate effects of weak random lateral potential energy fluctuations on internal transitions of charged magneto-excitons (trions) in quasi two-dimensional GaAs/AlGaAs quantum-well (QW) structures. Resonant changes in the ensemble photoluminescence induced by far-infrared radiation were studied as a function of magnetic field for samples having: 1) no growth interrupts (short range well-width fluctuations), and 2) intentional growth interrupts (long range monolayer well-width differences). Only bound-to-continuum internal transitions of the negatively charged trion are observed for samples of type 1. In contrast, a feature on the high field (low energy) side of electron cyclotron resonance is seen for samples of type 2 with well widths of 14.1 and 8.4 nm. This feature is attributed to a bound-to-bound transition of the spin-triplet with non-zero oscillator strength resulting from breaking of translational symmetry.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review

Engineering electron and hole tunneling with asymmetric InAs quantum dot molecules

Most self-assembled quantum dot molecules are intrinsically asymmetric with inequivalent dots resulting from imperfect control of crystal growth. We have grown vertically-aligned pairs of InAs/GaAs quantum dots by molecular beam epitaxy, introducing intentional asymmetry that limits the influence of intrinsic growth fluctuations and allows selective tunneling of electrons or holes. We present a systemic investigation of tunneling energies over a wide range of interdot barrier thickness. The concepts discussed here provide an important tool for the systematic design and characterization of more complicated quantum dot nanostructures.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures. To be published in Applied Physics Letters. version 2: Typographical corrections and reference format for journa

The Frequency of Mid-Infrared Excess Sources in Galactic Surveys

We have identified 230 Tycho-2 Spectral Catalog stars that exhibit 8 micron mid-infrared extraphotospheric excesses in the MidCourse Space Experiment (MSX) and Spitzer Space Telescope Galactic Legacy MidPlane Survey Extraordinaire (GLIMPSE) surveys. Of these, 183 are either OB stars earlier than B8 in which the excess plausibly arises from a thermal bremsstrahlung component or evolved stars in which the excess may be explained by an atmospheric dust component. The remaining 47 stars have spectral classifications B8 or later and appear to be main sequence or late pre-main-sequence objects harboring circumstellar disks. Six of the 47 stars exhibit multiple signatures characteristic of pre-main-sequence circumstellar disks, including emission lines, near-infrared K-band excesses, and X-ray emission. Approximately one-third of the remaining 41 sources have emission lines suggesting relative youth. Of the 25 GLIMPSE stars with SST data at >24 microns, 20 also show an excess at 24 microns. Three additional objects have 24 micron upper limits consistent with possible excesses, and two objects have photospheric measurements at 24 microns. Six MSX sources had a measurement at wavelengths >8 microns. We modeled the excesses in 26 stars having two or more measurements in excess of the expected photospheres as single-component blackbodies. We determine probable disk temperatures and fractional infrared luminosities in the range 191 < T < 787 and 3.9x10^-4 < L_IR/L_* < 2.7x10^-1. We estimate a lower limit on the fraction of Tycho-2 Spectral Catalog main-sequence stars having mid-IR, but not near-IR, excesses to be 1.0+-0.3%.Comment: Accepted to Ap

Demonstration of the Effect of Stirring on Nucleation from Experiments on the International Space Station Using the ISS-EML Facility

The effect of fluid flow on crystal nucleation in supercooled liquids is not well understood. The variable density and temperature gradients in the liquid make it difficult to study this under terrestrial gravity conditions. Nucleation experiments were therefore made in a microgravity environment using the Electromagnetic Levitation Facility on the International Space Station on a bulk glass-forming Zr57Cu15.4Ni12.6Al10Nb5 (Vit106), as well as Cu50Zr50 and the quasicrystal-forming Ti39.5Zr39.5Ni21 liquids. The maximum supercooling temperatures for each alloy were measured as a function of controlled stirring by applying various combinations of radio-frequency positioner and heater voltages to the water-cooled copper coils. The flow patterns were simulated from the known parameters for the coil and the levitated samples. The maximum nucleation temperatures increased systematically with increased fluid flow in the liquids for Vit106, but stayed nearly unchanged for the other two. These results are consistent with the predictions from the Coupled-Flux model for nucleation

Polarized fine structure in the excitation spectrum of a negatively charged quantum dot

We report polarized photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy of the negative trion in single charge tunable InAs/GaAs quantum dots. The spectrum exhibits a p-shell resonance with polarized fine structure arising from the direct excitation of the electron spin triplet states. The energy splitting arises from the axially symmetric electron-hole exchange interaction. The magnitude and sign of the polarization are understood from the spin character of the triplet states and a small amount of quantum dot asymmetry, which mixes the wavefunctions through asymmetric e-e and e-h exchange interactions