800 research outputs found
Voltage-Controlled Optics of a Quantum Dot
We show how the optical properties of a single semiconductor quantum dot can
be controlled with a small dc voltage applied to a gate electrode. We find that
the transmission spectrum of the neutral exciton exhibits two narrow lines with
eV linewidth. The splitting into two linearly polarized
components arises through an exchange interaction within the exciton. The
exchange interaction can be turned off by choosing a gate voltage where the dot
is occupied with an additional electron. Saturation spectroscopy demonstrates
that the neutral exciton behaves as a two-level system. Our experiments show
that the remaining problem for manipulating excitonic quantum states in this
system is spectral fluctuation on a eV energy scale.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures; content as publishe
The influence of potassium on core and geodynamo evolution
We model the thermal evolution of the core and mantle using a parametrized convection scheme, and calculate the entropy available to drive the geodynamo as a function of time. The cooling of the core is controlled by the rate at which the mantle can remove heat. Rapid core cooling favours the operation of a geodynamo but creates an inner core that is too large; slower cooling reduces the inner core size but makes a geodynamo less likely to operate. Introducing potassium into the core retards inner core growth and provides an additional source of entropy. For our nominal model parameters, a core containing approximate to 400 ppm potassium satisfies the criteria of present-day inner core size, surface heat flux, mantle temperature and cooling rate, and positive core entropy production.We have identified three possibilities that may allow the criteria to be satisfied without potassium in the core. (1) The core thermal conductivity is less than half the generally accepted value of 50 W m(-1) K-1. (2) The core solidus and adiabat are significantly colder and shallower than results from shock experiments and ab initio simulations indicate. (3) The core heat flux has varied by no more than a factor of 2 over Earth history.
All models we examined with the correct present-day inner core radius have an inner core age of < 1.5 Gyr; prior to this time the geodynamo was sustained by cooling and radioactive heat production within a completely liquid core
Voltage-controlled electron-hole interaction in a single quantum dot
The ground state of neutral and negatively charged excitons confined to a
single self-assembled InGaAs quantum dot is probed in a direct absorption
experiment by high resolution laser spectroscopy. We show how the anisotropic
electron-hole exchange interaction depends on the exciton charge and
demonstrate how the interaction can be switched on and off with a small dc
voltage. Furthermore, we report polarization sensitive analysis of the
excitonic interband transition in a single quantum dot as a function of charge
with and without magnetic field.Comment: Conference Proceedings, Physics and Applications of Spin-Related
Phenomena in Semiconductors, Santa Barbara (CA), 2004. 4 pages, 4 figures;
content as publishe
Optical detection of single electron spin resonance in a quantum dot
We demonstrate optically detected spin resonance of a single electron
confined to a self-assembled quantum dot. The dot is rendered dark by resonant
optical pumping of the spin with a coherent laser. Contrast is restored by
applying a radio frequency (rf) magnetic field at the spin resonance. The
scheme is sensitive even to rf fields of just a few micro-T. In one case, the
spin resonance behaves exactly as a driven 3-level quantum system (a
lambda-system) with weak damping. In another, the dot exhibits remarkably
strong (67% signal recovery) and narrow (0.34 MHz) spin resonances with
fluctuating resonant positions, evidence of unusual dynamic processes of
non-Markovian character.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure
Absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy on a single self-assembled charge-tunable quantum dot
We have performed detailed photoluminescence (PL) and absorption spectroscopy
on the same single self-assembled quantum dot in a charge-tunable device. The
transition from neutral to charged exciton in the PL occurs at a more negative
voltage than the corresponding transition in absorption. We have developed a
model of the Coulomb blockade to account for this observation. At large
negative bias, the absorption broadens as a result of electron and hole
tunneling. We observe resonant features in this regime whenever the quantum dot
hole level is resonant with two-dimensional hole states located at the capping
layer-blocking barrier interface in our structure.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure
Proterozoic tectonostratigraphy and paleogeography of central Madagascar derived from detrital zircon U-Pb age populations
Detrital zircon U-Pb ages determined by SHRIMP distinguish two clastic sequences among Proterozoic metasedimentary rocks from central Madagascar. The Itremo Group is older: zircon data, stromatolite characteristics, and carbon isotope data all point to a depositional age around 1500-1700 Ma. The Molo Group is younger, deposited between ∼620 Ma (the age of the youngest zircon) and ∼560 Ma (the age of metamorphic overgrowths on detrital cores). Geochronologic provenance analysis of the Itremo Group points to sources in East Africa as well as local sources in central and southern Madagascar but provides no evidence for a detrital contribution from northern and eastern Madagascar nor from southern India. Detrital zircon and sedimentologic similarities between rocks of the Itremo Group and the Zambian Muva Supergroup suggest a lithostratigraphic correlation between the two. The Molo Group has a strong 1000-1100 Ma detrital signature that also indicates an east African provenance and suggests a Neoproterozoic geographic connection with Sri Lanka but shows no indication of input from the Dharwar craton and eastern Madagascar. Central Madagascar was probably juxtaposed with the Tanzanian craton in the Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic, whereas northern and eastern Madagascar were connected to India. Internal assembly of Madagascar postdates Neoproterozoic Molo Group sedimentation and is likely to have occurred at about 560 Ma. © 2004 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.Rónadh Cox, Drew S. Coleman, Carla B. Chokel, Stephen B. DeOreo, Joseph L. Wooden, Alan S. Collins, Bert De Waele, and Alfred Kröne
The Geometrical Structure of 2d Bond-Orientational Order
We study the formulation of bond-orientational order in an arbitrary two
dimensional geometry. We find that bond-orientational order is properly
formulated within the framework of differential geometry with torsion. The
torsion reflects the intrinsic frustration for two-dimensional crystals with
arbitrary geometry. Within a Debye-Huckel approximation, torsion may be
identified as the density of dislocations. Changes in the geometry of the
system cause a reorganization of the torsion density that preserves
bond-orientational order. As a byproduct, we are able to derive several
identities involving the topology, defect density and geometric invariants such
as Gaussian curvature. The formalism is used to derive the general free energy
for a 2D sample of arbitrary geometry, both in the crystalline and hexatic
phases. Applications to conical and spherical geometries are briefly addressed.Comment: 22 pages, LaTeX, 4 eps figures Published versio
A well-balanced scheme for two-fluid flows in variable cross-section ducts
International audienceWe propose a finite volume scheme for computing two-fluid flows in variable cross-section ducts. Our scheme satisfies a well-balanced property. It is based on the VFRoe approach. The VFRoe variables are the Riemann invariants of the stationnary wave and the cross-section. In order to avoid spurious pressure oscillations, the well-balanced approach is coupled with an ALE (Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian) technique at the interface and a random sampling remap
Formation of the internal structure of solids under severe action
On the example of a particular problem, the theory of vacancies, a new form
of kinetic equations symmetrically incorporation the internal and free energies
has been derived. The dynamical nature of irreversible phenomena at formation
and motion of defects (dislocations) has been analyzed by a computer
experiment. The obtained particular results are extended into a thermodynamic
identity involving the law of conservation of energy at interaction with an
environment (the 1st law of thermodynamics) and the law of energy
transformation into internal degree of freedom (relaxation). The identity is
compared with the analogous Jarzynski identity. The approach is illustrated by
simulation of processes during severe plastic deformation, the Rybin kinetic
equation for this case has been derived.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure
Contrast in transmission spectroscopy of a single quantum dot
We perform transmission spectroscopy on single quantum dots and examine the
effects of a resident carriers spin, the incident laser spot size,
polarization, and power on the experimental contrast. We demonstrate a factor
of 4 improvement in the maximum contrast by using a solid immersion lens to
decrease the spot area. This increase yields a maximum signal to noise ratio of
2000 Hz-1/2, which will allow for MHz detection frequencies. We anticipate that
this improvement will allow further investigation of spectral fluctuation and
open up the feasibility for an all-optical read-out of an electron spin in a
quantum dot
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