Doty, Matthew

Date: Thursday, October 1, 2015
Time: 14:00
Place: ETH Zurich, Hönggerberg, HPF G 6
Host: Atac Imamoglu

Understanding and engineering spin physics in quantum dot molecules

Matthew Doty
University of Delaware, Newark, USA

Quantum dots are often described as artificial atoms because they have discrete energy levels analogous to those of natural atoms. Solid state quantum dots (e.g. InAs in GaAs) can be extended from artificial atoms to artificial molecules by controlling the relative spatial proximity and orientation of a pair of quantum dots. These pairs of dots are called quantum dot molecules (QDMs) because coherent tunnel coupling between the individual quantum dots leads to the formation of molecular states analogous to those in diatomic molecules. Many well-established concepts of physical chemistry and atomic physics can be used to understand the formation of molecular orbital states of both electrons and holes. However, unlike ‘natural’ molecular states, the parameters in these artificial molecules can be varied both during growth and in situ. As a result, QDMs present a unique opportunity to use molecular engineering principles to design new components for optoelectronic quantum device technologies. This talk will focus on the spin properties that can arise in a variety of different QDM structures and describe our progress toward the design and growth of new molecular structures with spin properties that can be both tailored and manipulated in situ for quantum device applications.