Optical characterization of quantum dots entrained in microstructured optical fibers

We present a study of the basic optical properties of colloidal CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots entrained in a microstructured optical fiber. Quantum dots suspended in heptane were pulled into the holes surrounding the solid core of a microstructured optical fiber of the holey fiber class via capillary action and are found to remain in the fiber. In this experiment, a laser coupled into the fiber photoexcited quantum dots along the length of the fiber. Quantum dot emission was observed to couple into the fiber core and propagate along the fiber. To investigate the use of such a system in fiber-based light generation or amplification, a second laser overlapping the low-energy portion of the quantum dot emission was simultaneously coupled into the fiber. We observed apparent amplification of this light when photoexciting the quantum dots well above their bandedge.     

DNA纳米传感器荧光成像技术

把基于量子点的DNA纳米传感器模型应用到ICCD荧光显微成像系统中,利用量子点的量子产率高、荧光寿命长、激发谱宽而发射谱窄、发射波长可由材料尺寸调谐等特性,以量子点为供体,Cy5(一种小分子荧光染料)为受体,结合ICCD系统的全内反射荧光成像功能、实时成像功能和双通道成像功能,证实了DNA纳米传感器可以在溶液中检测到含30个碱基的单链目标DNA片段。实时拍摄了溶液中链霉亲和素包被的量子点对两头分别连着Cy5和生物素的单链DNA片段(Cy5-ssDNA-Biotin)的捕获过程。并在活的中国仓鼠卵巢细胞样品中加入链霉亲和素包被的量子点和Cy5-ssDNA-Biotin进行实时荧光成像,拍摄到链霉亲和素包被的量子点和Cy5-ssDNA-Biotin进入细胞中并发生FRET的过程,初步表明了DNA纳米传感器在活细胞内进行DNA(或RNA)片段检测的可行性。     

应用级联运动方程方法研究并联双量子点的量子纠缠

Quantum dots comprise a type of quantum impurity system. The entanglement and coherence of quantum states are significantly influenced by the strong electron-electron interactions among impurities and their dissipative coupling with the surrounding environment. Competition between many-body effects and transfer couplings plays an important role in determining the entanglement among localized impurity spins. In this work, we employ the hierarchical-equations-of-motion approach to explore the entanglement of a strongly correlated double quantum dots system. The relation between the total system entropy and those of subsystems is also investigated.     

The Fluorescence Bioassay Platforms on Quantum Dots Nanoparticles

In this paper, we present the optical properties and the platforms on fluorescent quantum dots for biological labeling, biomedical engineering and biosensor in molecular imaging. Quantum dots possess several properties that make them very attractive for fluorescent tagging: broad excitation spectrum, narrow emission spectrum, precise tunability of their emission peak, longer fluorescence lifetime than organic fluorophores and negligible photobleaching. We describe how to take such advantages of quantum dots to develop the technology and employ it to build assay platforms. Finally, ultrasensitivity, multicolor, and multiplexing of the technology of semiconductor quantum dots open up promising and interesting possibilities for bioassay platform.     

Coherent control of quantum entropy via quantum interference in a four-level N-type atomic system

The time evaluation of quantum entropy in a four-level N-type atomic system is theoretically investigated. Quantum entanglement of the atom and its spontaneous emission fields is then discussed via quantum entropy. It is found that the degree of entanglement can be increased by the quantum interference induced by spontaneous emission. The phase dependence of the atom-field entanglement is also presented.     

Multi-color tunneling quantum dot infrared photodetectors operating at room temperature

Quantum dot structures designed for multi-color infrared detection and high temperature (or room temperature) operation are demonstrated. A novel approach, tunneling quantum dot (T-QD), was successfully demonstrated with a detector that can be operated at room temperature due to the reduction of the dark current by blocking barriers incorporated into the structure. Photoexcited carriers are selectively collected from InGaAs quantum dots by resonant tunneling, while the dark current is blocked by AlGaAs/InGaAs tunneling barriers placed in the structure. A two-color tunneling-quantum dot infrared photodetector (T-QDIP) with photoresponse peaks at 6 μm and 17 μm operating at room temperature will be discussed. Furthermore, the idea can be used to develop terahertz T-QD detectors operating at high temperatures. Successful results obtained for a T-QDIP designed for THz operations are presented. Another approach, bi-layer quantum dot, uses two layers of InAs quantum dots (QDs) with different sizes separated by a thin GaAs layer. The detector response was observed at three distinct wavelengths in short-, mid-, and far-infrared regions (5.6, 8.0, and 23.0 μm). Based on theoretical calculations, photoluminescence and infrared spectral measurements, the 5.6 and 23.0 μm peaks are connected to the states in smaller QDs in the structure. The narrow peaks emphasize the uniform size distribution of QDs grown by molecular beam epitaxy. These detectors can be employed in numerous applications such as environmental monitoring, spectroscopy, medical diagnosis, battlefield-imaging, space astronomy applications, mine detection, and remote-sensing.     

Quantum computing based on space states without charge transfer

An implementation of a quantum computer based on space states in double quantum dots is discussed. There is no charge transfer in qubits during a calculation, therefore, uncontrolled entanglement between qubits due to long-range Coulomb interaction is suppressed. Encoding and processing of quantum information is merely performed on symmetric and antisymmetric states of the electron in double quantum dots. Other plausible sources of decoherence caused by interaction with phonons and gates could be substantially suppressed in the structure as well. We also demonstrate how all necessary quantum logic operations, initialization, writing, and read-out could be carried out in the computer.     

Carbon nanotubes as building blocks of quantum dots

Quantum dots have been fabricated with single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and their transport properties have been measured at low temperatures. The single-electron transport measurements revealed the artificial atom characteristics with a shell structure and the Zeeman splitting of single particle states. They have been observed with the metallic SWCNT that includes many electrons, in striking contrast to the case of semiconductor artificial atoms that have a few electrons. The unique features in the SWCNT artificial atom are discussed in terms of the energy scales associated with the quantum dot.     

Short notices

Quantum dots are nanometre-sized clusters of semiconductor material which confine electrons in all three directions. The physics of quantum dots are dominated by quantization: there are discrete energy levels, as in real atoms. Quantum dots can now be self-assembled directly in the growth of inorganic semiconductors, and this discovery has fuelled an explosion in the interest in this field. A review of some of this work is presented, concentrating on the optical properties of quantum dots, and possible applications for photonic devices.     

量子信息研究进展

量子信息论是经典信息论与量子力学相结合的新兴交叉学科,本综述了最子信息领域的研究进展。即包括了为人们所熟知的量子通信与量子计算领域,也包括了刚刚兴起的但却有巨大潜力的量子对策论等领域。本以介绍量子信息论的基本理论框架为主,同时也介绍了量子信息领域的实验研究进展。     

量子信息研究进展

量子信息论是经典信息论与量子力学相结合的新兴交叉学科。本文综述了量子信息领域的研究进展。即包括了为人们所熟知的量子通信与量子计算领域 ,也包括了刚刚兴起的但却有巨大潜力的量子对策论等领域。本文以介绍量子信息论的基本理论框架为主 ,同时也介绍了量子信息领域的实验研究进展。     

Quantum Graphical Models and Belief Propagation

Belief Propagation algorithms acting on Graphical Models of classical probability distributions, such as Markov Networks, Factor Graphs and Bayesian Networks, are amongst the most powerful known methods for deriving probabilistic inferences amongst large numbers of random variables. This paper presents a generalization of these concepts and methods to the quantum case, based on the idea that quantum theory can be thought of as a noncommutative, operator-valued, generalization of classical probability theory. Some novel characterizations of quantum conditional independence are derived, and definitions of Quantum n-Bifactor Networks, Markov Networks, Factor Graphs and Bayesian Networks are proposed. The structure of Quantum Markov Networks is investigated and some partial characterization results are obtained, along the lines of the Hammersley–Clifford theorem. A Quantum Belief Propagation algorithm is presented and is shown to converge on 1-Bifactor Networks and Markov Networks when the underlying graph is a tree. The use of Quantum Belief Propagation as a heuristic algorithm in cases where it is not known to converge is discussed. Applications to decoding quantum error correcting codes and to the simulation of many-body quantum systems are described.     

Photoluminescence of patterned arrays of vertically stacked InAs/GaAs quantum dots

We report on photoluminescence measurements of vertically stacked InAs/GaAs quantum dots grown by molecular beam epitaxy on focused ion beam patterned hole arrays with varying array spacing. Quantum dot emission at 1.24 eV was observed only on patterned regions, demonstrating preferential nucleation of optically active dots at desired locations and below the critical thickness for dot formation at these growth conditions. Photoluminescence measurements as a function of varying focused ion beam irradiated hole spacing showed that the quantum dot emission intensity increased with decreasing array periodicity, consistent with increasing dot density.     

胶体水相法制备高量子产率及高稳定性的水溶性ZnSe量子点

采用简便的胶体水相法制备了高荧光强度且稳定性良好的ZnSe量子点(ZnSe QDs),克服了以往水相合成法稳定性差、量子产率低等缺陷。优化后的最佳合成条件为：以还原型L-谷胱甘肽作为稳定剂,L-谷胱甘肽∶Se2-∶Zn2+摩尔比为5∶1∶5,介质pH 10.5,反应温度在90～100 ℃之间。且合成后不需要采取任何光照后处理,ZnSe QDs的量子产率(QYs) 即可高达50.1%,放置3个月后荧光强度基本不变,水溶性优良。用紫外-可见分光光度法(UV-Vis)、荧光分光光度法(FL)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)等分析检测手段,对得到的ZnSe QDs的性能进行表征。合成的量子点在300 nm激发下发蓝紫色荧光(370 nm),其优良的光化学特性将有利于其在光热器件的制造及化学生物领域的应用。     

New method to induce 2D–3D transition of strained CdSe/ZnSe layers

We present new growth conditions for growing high-quality CdSe/ZnSe quantum dots with photoluminescence emission measurable up to room temperature. The surface morphology is characterized in situ by Reflective High Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED). The key point is the introduction of a new step in the growth process using amorphous selenium to induce a 2D–3D transition of a CdSe strained layer on ZnSe to form the dots. Optical characterizations by photoluminescence of CdSe/ZnSe quantum dots obtained that way, as well as X-ray diffraction results are also discussed here.     

Fluorinated Boron Nitride Quantum Dots: A New 0D Material for Energy Conversion and Detection of Cellular Metabolism

Quantum dots encompass a broad spectrum of optical, catalytic, and electrochemical properties bringing in novel applications in catalysis, imaging, displays, and optoelectronics. Herein, the unanticipated broad‐spectrum light absorption and high fluorescence quantum yield in fluorinated boron nitride (FBN) quantum dots are discussed. A heterostructure of FBN quantum dots with a wide‐bandgap semiconductor, titania nanotube arrays, exhibits high photocatalytic activity as evidenced by high external quantum efficiency extending from ultraviolet to green region of the solar spectrum (≈24% at 400 nm). The high activity is confirmed using photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution experiments. Further, it is demonstrated that high fluorescence quantum yield could be tapped for the detection of glycolytic activity in cancer cells compared to normal cells. This finding could shift the paradigm of molecular detection using quantum dots. The 0D structure and the gap states introduced through fluorination are believed to be responsible for these unprecedented characteristics of boron nitride.     

Disappearance of quantum chaos in coupled chaotic quantum dots

Statistical properties of the single electron levels confined in the semiconductor (InAs/GaAs, Si/SiO₂) double quantum dots (DQDs) are considered. We demonstrate that in the electronically coupled chaotic quantum dots the chaos with its level repulsion disappears and the nearest neighbor level statistics becomes Poissonian. This result is discussed in the light of the recently predicted “huge conductance peak” by R.S. Whitney et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102 (2009) 186802] in the mirror symmetric DQDs.     

Quantum cascade transitions in nanostructures

In this article we review the physical characteristics of quantum cascade transitions (QCTs) in various nanoscopic systems. The quantum cascade laser which utilizes such transitions in quantum wells is a brilliant outcome of quantum engineering that has already demonstrated its usefulness in various real-world applications. After a brief introduction to the background of this transition process, we discuss the physics behind these transitions in an externally applied magnetic field. This has unravelled many intricate phenomena related to intersubband resonance and electron relaxation modes in these systems. We then discuss QCTs in a situation where the quantum wells in the active regions of a quantum cascade structure are replaced by quantum dots. The physics of quantum dots is a rapidly developing field with its roots in fundamental quantum mechanics, but at the same time, quantum dots have tremendous potential applications. We first present a brief review of those aspects of quantum dots that are likely to be reflected in a quantum-dot cascade structure. We then go on to demonstrate how the calculated emission peaks of a quantum-dot cascade structure with or without an external magnetic field are correlated with the properties of quantum dots, such as the choice of confinement potentials, shape, size and the low-lying energy spectra of the dots. Contents PAGE 1 Introduction 456 2 Intersubband transitions in quantum wells 458 3 Quantum cascade transitions 462 3.1. Basic principles 462 3.1.1. Minibands and minigaps 464 3.1.2. Vertical transitions 464 3.1.3. GaAs/AlGaAs quantum cascade lasers 464 3.1.4. QCLs based on superlattice structures 465 3.1.5. Type-II quantum cascade lasers 466 3.1.6. Recent developments 466 3.2. Applications: sense-ability and other qualities 466 4 Quantum cascade transitions in novel situations 467 4.1. External magnetic field 467 4.1.1. Parallel magnetic field 468 4.1.2. Many-body effects: depolarization shift 470 4.1.3. The role of disorder 471 4.1.4. Tilted magnetic field 475 4.2. Magneto-transport experiments and phonon relaxation 479 4.3. Magneto-optics experiment and phonon relaxation 484 5 A brief review of quantum dots 485 5.1. From three- to zero-dimensional systems 485 5.2. Making the dots 487 5.2.1. Lithographic patterning 487 5.2.2. Self-assembled quantum dots 488 5.3. Shell filling in quantum dots 489 5.4. Electron correlations: spin states 490 5.5. Anisotropic dots 491 5.6. Influence of an external magnetic field 491 5.6.1. The Fock diagram 491 5.6.2. The no-correlation theorem 492 5.6.3. Correlation effects and magic numbers 492 5.6.4. Spin transitions 493 5.7. Quantum dots in novel systems 494 5.8. Potential applications of quantum dots 494 5.8.1. Single-electron transistors (SETs) 494 5.8.2. Single-photon detectors 494 5.8.3. Single-photon emitters 495 5.8.4. Quantum-dot lasers 495 6 Quantum cascade transitions in quantum-dot structures 496 6.1. Quantum dots versus quantum wells 496 6.2. QCT with rectangular dots 497 6.2.1. Vertical transitions 500 6.2.2. Diagonal transitions 501 6.3. QCT in a parabolic dot 504 6.4. Magnetic field effects on intersubband transitions 506 6.5. Mid-IR luminescence from a QD cascade device 512 7 Summary and open questions 513 Acknowledgements 515 References 515     

Quantum dating market

We consider the dating market decision problem under the quantum mechanics point of view. Quantum states whose associated amplitudes are modified by men strategies are used to represent women. The Grover quantum search algorithm is used as a playing strategy. Success is more frequently obtained by playing quantum than playing classic.