A spin-coherent semiconductor photo-detector for quantum communication

We describe how quantum information may be transferred from photon polarization to electron spin in a semiconductor device. The transfer of quantum information relies on selection rules for optical transitions, such that two superposed photon polarizations excite two superposed spin states. Entanglement of the electron spin state with the spin state of the remaining hole is prevented by using a single, non-degenerate initial valence band. The degeneracy of the valence band is lifted by the combination of strain and a static magnetic field. We give a detailed description of a semiconductor structure that transfers photon polarization to electron spin coherently, and allows electron spins to be stored and to be made available for quantum information processing.Comment: To be published in the proceedings of the 11th International Winterschool on New Developments in Solid State Physics, 21 - 25 February, 2000, Mauterndorf, Austria (Physica E, Sept. 2000). 5 pages, 4 figures Revised with updated work on light-hole/heavy-hole selection rule

Algorithmic Cooling and Scalable NMR Quantum Computers

We present here algorithmic cooling (via polarization-heat-bath)- a powerful method for obtaining a large number of highly polarized spins in liquid nuclear-spin systems at finite temperature. Given that spin-half states represent (quantum) bits, algorithmic cooling cleans dirty bits beyond the Shannon's bound on data compression, by employing a set of rapidly thermal-relaxing bits. Such auxiliary bits could be implemented using spins that rapidly get into thermal equilibrium with the environment, e.g., electron spins. Cooling spins to a very low temperature without cooling the environment could lead to a breakthrough in nuclear magnetic resonance experiments, and our ``spin-refrigerating'' method suggests that this is possible. The scaling of NMR ensemble computers is probably the main obstacle to building useful quantum computing devices, and our spin-refrigerating method suggests that this problem can be resolved.Comment: 21 pages, 3 figure