1,627 research outputs found
Fine structure and optical pumping of spins in individual semiconductor quantum dots
We review spin properties of semiconductor quantum dots and their effect on
optical spectra. Photoluminescence and other types of spectroscopy are used to
probe neutral and charged excitons in individual quantum dots with high
spectral and spatial resolution. Spectral fine structure and polarization
reveal how quantum dot spins interact with each other and with their
environment. By taking advantage of the selectivity of optical selection rules
and spin relaxation, optical spin pumping of the ground state electron and
nuclear spins is achieved. Through such mechanisms, light can be used to
process spins for use as a carrier of information
Raman Scattering Spectra of Elementary Electronic Excitations in Coupled Double-Quantum Well Structures
Using the time-dependent-local-density-approximation (TDLDA) within a
self-consistent linear response theory, we calculate the elementary excitation
energies and the associated inelastic light-scattering spectra of a strongly
coupled two-component plasma in a double-quantum well system with electron
occupation of symmetric and antisymmetric subbands. We find, consistent with
the results of a recent experimental Raman scattering study, that the
intersubband spin density excitations tend to merge with the single particle
excitations (i.e. the excitonic shift decreases monotonically) as the Fermi
energy increases beyond the symmetric-antisymmetric energy gap
. However, our TDLDA calculation does not show the abrupt
suppresion of the excitonic shift seen experimentally at a finite value of the
subband occupancy parameter .Comment: 9 pages, RevTeX, 5 figures available upon request, PIT-SDS-00
Generation of frequency sidebands on single photons with indistinguishability from quantum dots
Generation and manipulation of the quantum state of a single photon is at the
heart of many quantum information protocols. There has been growing interest in
using phase modulators as quantum optics devices that preserve coherence. In
this Letter, we have used an electro-optic phase modulator to shape the state
vector of single photons emitted by a quantum dot to generate new frequency
components (modes) and explicitly demonstrate that the phase modulation process
agrees with the theoretical prediction at a single photon level. Through
two-photon interference measurements we show that for an output consisting of
three modes (the original mode and two sidebands), the indistinguishability of
the mode engineered photon, measured through the secondorder intensity
correlation (g2(0)) is preserved. This work demonstrates a robust means to
generate a photonic qubit or more complex state (e.g., a qutrit) for quantum
communication applications by encoding information in the sidebands without the
loss of coherence
Physical therapy and deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease: Protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial
Abstract Background Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) reduces tremor, muscle stiffness, and bradykinesia in people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Walking speed, known to be reduced in PD, typically improves after surgery; however, other important aspects of gait may not improve. Furthermore, balance may worsen and falls may increase after STN-DBS. Thus, interventions to improve balance and gait could reduce morbidity and improve quality of life following STN-DBS. Physical therapy (PT) effectively improves balance and gait in people with PD, but studies on the effects of PT have not been extended to those treated with STN-DBS. As such, the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of PT in this population remain to be determined. The purpose of this pilot study is to address these unmet needs. We hypothesize that PT designed to target balance and gait impairment will be effective, safe, and feasible in this population. Methods/design Participants with PD treated with STN-DBS will be randomly assigned to either a PT or control group. Participants assigned to PT will complete an 8-week, twice-weekly PT program consisting of exercises designed to improve balance and gait. Control group participants will receive the current standard of care following STN-DBS, which does not include prescription of PT. The primary aim is to assess preliminary efficacy of PT on balance (Balance Evaluation Systems Test). A secondary aim is to assess efficacy of PT on gait (GAITRite instrumented walkway). Participants will be assessed OFF medication/OFF stimulation and ON medication/ON stimulation at baseline and at 8 and 12 weeks after baseline. Adverse events will be measured over the duration of the study, and adherence to PT will be measured to determine feasibility. Discussion To our knowledge, this will be the first study to explore the preliminary efficacy, safety, and feasibility of PT for individuals with PD with STN-DBS. If the study suggests potential efficacy, then this would justify larger trials to test effectiveness and safety of PT for those with PD with STN-DBS. Trial registration NCT03181282 (clinicaltrials.gov). Registered on 7 June 2017
Hole Spin Mixing in InAs Quantum Dot Molecules
Holes confined in single InAs quantum dots have recently emerged as a
promising system for the storage or manipulation of quantum information. These
holes are often assumed to have only heavy-hole character and further assumed
to have no mixing between orthogonal heavy hole spin projections (in the
absence of a transverse magnetic field). The same assumption has been applied
to InAs quantum dot molecules formed by two stacked InAs quantum dots that are
coupled by coherent tunneling of the hole between the two dots. We present
experimental evidence of the existence of a hole spin mixing term obtained with
magneto-photoluminescence spectroscopy on such InAs quantum dot molecules. We
use a Luttinger spinor model to explain the physical origin of this hole spin
mixing term: misalignment of the dots along the stacking direction breaks the
angular symmetry and allows mixing through the light-hole component of the
spinor. We discuss how this novel spin mixing mechanism may offer new spin
manipulation opportunities that are unique to holes.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figure
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