Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new optical interface that allows for highly efficient collection of light emitted from single semiconductor quantum dots. This interface, consisting of a single quantum dot embedded in a GaAs channel waveguide and coupled with an optical fiber taper waveguide, enables high-resolution measurements of quantum dot properties.
The key innovation in this system is the directional waveguide coupler, which efficiently transfers light from a single mode optical fiber into a tightly confined mode within the GaAs waveguide, where it interacts with the quantum dot. This allows for effective coupling between the quantum dot’s nanoscale dimensions and macroscopic fiber optics, which are essential components in modern communications.
The development of this optical interface is significant for the advancement of both classical and quantum information processing technologies, as it provides a means to probe and manipulate single quantum dots with high precision. This could lead to improved performance in various quantum technologies, such as quantum computing and quantum communication, by enabling better control and measurement of individual quantum systems.
Keywords: nanophotonic, quantum, semiconductor
