Spin readout and initialization in a semiconductor quantum dot

Electron spin qubits in semiconductors are attractive from the viewpoint of long coherence times. However, single spin measurement is challenging. Several promising schemes incorporate ancillary tunnel couplings that may provide unwanted channels for decoherence. Here, we propose a novel spin-charge transduction scheme, converting spin information to orbital information within a single quantum dot by microwave excitation. The same quantum dot can be used for rapid initialization, gating, and readout. We present detailed modeling of such a device in silicon to confirm its feasibility.     

Optically probing spin and charge interactions in a tunable artificial molecule

We optically probe and electrically control a single artificial molecule containing a well defined number of electrons. Charge and spin dependent interdot quantum couplings are probed optically by adding a single electron-hole pair and detecting the emission from negatively charged exciton states. Coulomb- and Pauli-blockade effects are directly observed, and tunnel coupling and electrostatic charging energies are independently measured. The interdot quantum coupling is shown to be mediated by electron tunneling. Our results are in excellent accord with calculations that provide a complete picture of negative excitons and few-electron states in quantum dot molecules.     

Rashba interferometers: Spin-dependent single- and two-electron interference

Quantum transport in semiconductor nanostructures can be described theoretically in terms of the propagation and scattering of electron probability waves. Within this approach, elements of a phase-coherent electric circuit play a role similar to quantum-optical devices that can be characterised by scattering matrices. Electronic analogues of well-know optical interferometers have been fabricated and used to study special features of charge carriers in solids. We present results from our theoretical investigation into the interplay between spin precession and quantum interference in an electronic Mach-Zehnder interferometer with spin-orbit coupling of the Rashba type. Intriguing spin-dependent transport effects occur, which can be the basis for novel spintronic devices such as a magnet-less spin-controlled field-effect transistor and a variety of single-qubit gates. Their functionality arises entirely from spin-dependent interference of each single-input electron with itself. We have also studied two-electron interference effects for the spin-dependent Mach-Zehnder interferometer, obtaining analytical expressions for its two-fermion-state scattering matrix. Using this result, we consider ways to generate two-electron output states for which the Rashba spin-subband quantum number and the output arm index are entangled. Combining spin-dependent interference in our proposed Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a projective charge measurement at the output enables entanglement generation. As our particular scheme involves tuneable spin precession, electric-field control of entanglement production can be achieved.     

Controlling correlated tunneling and superexchange interactions with ac-driven optical lattices

The dynamical control of tunneling processes of single particles plays a major role in science ranging from Shapiro steps in Josephson junctions to the control of chemical reactions via light in molecules. Here we show how such control can be extended to the regime of correlated tunneling of strongly interacting particles. Through a periodic modulation of a biased tunnel contact, we have been able to coherently control single-particle and correlated two-particle hopping processes. We have furthermore been able to extend this control to superexchange spin interactions in the presence of a magnetic-field gradient. Such photon-assisted superexchange processes constitute a novel approach to realize arbitrary XXZ spin models in ultracold quantum gases, where transverse and Ising-type spin couplings can be fully controlled in magnitude and sign.     

Simulations of information transport in spin chains

Transport of quantum information in linear spin chains has been the subject of much theoretical work. Experimental studies by NMR in solid state spin systems (a natural implementation of such models) is complicated since the dipolar Hamiltonian is not solely comprised of nearest-neighbor XY-Heisenberg couplings. We present here a similarity transformation between the XY Hamiltonian and the double-quantum Hamiltonian, an interaction which is achievable with the collective control provided by radio-frequency pulses. Not only can this second Hamiltonian simulate the information transport in a spin chain, but it also creates coherent states, whose intensities give an experimental signature of the transport. This scheme makes it possible to study experimentally the transport of polarization beyond exactly solvable models and explore the appearance of quantum coherence and interference effects.     

Spin filtering effects in a one dimensional artificial lattice with ring geometry subject to Rashba coupling

Quantum interference effects in rings provide suitable means for controlling spin at mesoscopic scales. Here we apply such a control mechanism to the spin dependent transport in a one-dimensional Aharonov-Bohm (AB) ring patterned in two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) symmetrically coupled to two leads. We investigate the ballistic conductance in the presence of an artificial crystal, which is made up of 5 quantum dots. The study is essentially based on the natural spinorbit interactions, due to the quantum well potential that confines electrons in the 2DEG. We focus on single-channel transport and solve for the spin polarization of the current. As an important consequence of the presence of spin splitting, we find the occurrence of spin dependent current oscillations. The presence of lattice can be useful to improve the spin filtering capability of the QR. In fact modulating both the geometry of the dots and the strength of the tunnel barriers between them it is now possible to obtain well defined spin-dependent resonances allowing polarized transport. The presence of isolated conductance peak is useful in order to improve the efficiency of the spin filtering also at non zero temperatures.     

Spin current pumping with two orthogonal electric fields in quantum wire

We study the problem of spin current pumping in a one-dimensional quantum wire when there exist two orthogonal Rashba spin-orbit couplings (SOCs) in different regions which evolve with time and can be induced by the perpendicular electric fields. On one hand, we demonstrate that the time-evolving Rashba SOC is equivalent to the spin-dependent electric field and the scheme may lead to the pure spin current associated with well suppressed charge current. On the other hand, we adopt the non-equilibrium Green's function method and numerically find that the parameter loop must satisfy certain condition for the successful pumping. We also study the effect of the Fermi energy and the inevitable disorder on the spin current. The implications of these results are discussed.     

Quantum Speed Limit for Dynamics of Central Spin Model with Initial System-Bath Correlations

We investigate the quantum speed limit (QSL) time of an electronic spin coupled to a bath of nuclear spins. We consider three types of initial states with different correlations between the system and bath, i.e., quantum correlation, classical correlation, and no any correlation. Interestingly, we show that the QSL times of the central spin for these three types of initial correlations are identical when the couplings are homogeneous. However, it is remarkable different for inhomogenous couplings. The QSL time of the central spin is sensitive to the initial states, the average coupling strength, the distribution of the couplings between the system and bath and the number of the nuclear spins in the bath. Furthermore, we find that the coherence in the initial state has significant influences on the QSL time of the system, and can lead to the increase of QSL time for homogeneous couplings.     

Nonequilibrium spin transport through a diluted magnetic semiconductor quantum dot system with noncollinear magnetization

The spin-dependent transport through a diluted magnetic semiconductor quantum dot (QD) which is coupled via magnetic tunnel junctions to two ferromagnetic leads is studied theoretically. A noncollinear system is considered, where the QD is magnetized at an arbitrary angle with respect to the leads’ magnetization. The tunneling current is calculated in the coherent regime via the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) formalism, incorporating the electron–electron interaction in the QD. We provide the first analytical solution for the Green’s function of the noncollinear DMS quantum dot system, solved via the equation of motion method under Hartree–Fock approximation. The transport characteristics (charge and spin currents, and tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR)) are evaluated for different voltage regimes. The interplay between spin-dependent tunneling and single-charge effects results in three distinct voltage regimes in the spin and charge current characteristics. The voltage range in which the QD is singly occupied corresponds to the maximum spin current and greatest sensitivity of the spin current to the QD magnetization orientation. The QD device also shows transport features suitable for sensor applications, i.e., a large charge current coupled with a high TMR ratio.     

Quantum competitions between the effects of the interlayer exchange couplings and the magnetically structural symmetry in a four-layer ferrimagnetic superlattice

The magnon energy spectra, the sublayer magnetization and the quantum fluctuations in a ferrimagnetic superlattice consisting of four different magnetic sublayers are studied by employing the linear spin-wave approach and Green's function technique. The effects of the interlayer exchange couplings and the spin quantum numbers on the sublayer magnetization and the quantum fluctuations of the systems are discussed for three different spin configurations. The roles of quantum competitions among the interlayer exchange couplings and the symmetry of the different spin configurations have been understood. The magnetizations of some sublayers increase monotonously, while those of others can exhibit their maximum, and the quantum fluctuations of the whole superlattice system can show a minimum when one of the antiferromagnetic interlayer exchange couplings increases. This is due to the quantum competition/transmission of effects of the interlayer exchange couplings. When the spin quantum number of sublayers varies, the system goes through from a quantum region of small spin numbers to a classical region of large spin numbers. The quantum fluctuations of the system exhibit a maximum as a function of the spin quantum number of a sublayer, which is related with higher symmetry of the system. It belongs to the type III Shubnikov group of magnetic groups. This magnetically structural symmetry consists of not only the symmetry of space group, but also the symmetry of the direction and strength of spins.     

Excitation of the spin density and current by coherent light pulses in quantum wells

We study the orbital and spin dynamics of charge carriers induced by non-overlapping linearly polarized light pulses in semiconductor quantum wells. It is shown that such an optical excitation with coherent pulses leads to a spin orientation of photocarriers and an electric current. The effects are caused by the interference of optical transitions driven by individual pulses. The distribution of carriers in the spin and momentum spaces depends on the crystallographic orientation of quantum wells and can be efficiently controlled by the pulse polarizations, time delay and phase shift between the pulses, as well as an external magnetic field.     

Single-shot readout of electron spin states in a quantum dot using spin-dependent tunnel rates

We present a method for reading out the spin state of electrons in a quantum dot that is robust against charge noise and can be used even when the electron temperature exceeds the energy splitting between the states. The spin states are first correlated to different charge states using a spin dependence of the tunnel rates. A subsequent fast measurement of the charge on the dot then reveals the original spin state. We experimentally demonstrate the method by performing readout of the two-electron spin states, achieving a single-shot visibility of more than 80%. We find very long triplet-to-singlet relaxation times (up to several milliseconds), with a strong dependence on the in-plane magnetic field.     

含stubs量子波导系统的电子自旋极化输运性质

理论上研究了含stubs的Rashba自旋轨道耦合（spin-orbit coupling, SOC）量子波导系统的自旋极化输运性质. 利用晶格格林函数方法,发现由于stubs和SOC产生的势阱使系统中出现束缚态,这些束缚态与传播态之间相互干涉导致电导中出现Fano共振结构,同时在对应的自旋极化率中也出现Fano共振或反共振结构. 此外,由于系统结构的突变使电子被反向散射和量子干涉效应,电导中出现一系列的共振峰. 但是,当系统加上外磁场后,所有这些效应都被抑制, 系统重新出现量子化电导, 同时自旋电导也出 关键词： 量子波导 自旋极化输运 自旋轨道耦合     

Quantum phase interference and spin-parity in Mn12 single-molecule magnets

Magnetization measurements of Mn12 molecular nanomagnets with spin ground states of S=10 and S=19/2 show resonance tunneling at avoided energy level crossings. The observed oscillations of the tunnel probability as a function of the magnetic field applied along the hard anisotropy axis are due to topological quantum phase interference of two tunnel paths of opposite windings. Spin-parity dependent tunneling is established by comparing the quantum phase interference of integer and half-integer spin systems.     

Single-shot readout of electron spins in a semiconductor quantum dot

We report on a method for single-shot readout of spin states in a semiconductor quantum dot that is robust against charge noise and can be used even when the electron temperature exceeds the energy splitting between the states. The spin states are first correlated to different charge states using a spin dependence of the tunnel rates. A subsequent fast measurement of the charge on the dot then reveals the original spin state. The method is analyzed theoretically, and compared to a previously used method. We experimentally demonstrate the method by performing readout of the two-electron spin states, achieving a single-shot visibility of more than 80%. We find very long triplet-to-singlet relaxation times (up to several milliseconds), with a strong dependence on in-plane magnetic field.     

Enhanced Spin Seebeck Efficiency in Closed Triple Quantum Dots Ring with Spin-Dependent Interdot Couplings

Spin Seebeck effect (SSE) in triple quantum dots coupled to ferromagnetic leads is studied by using the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green’s function technique. In low temperature regimes, the Fano effect arising from the interferences between the isolated states and the continuum plays an dominant role in the electronic and thermoelectric transport processes. The Seebeck coefficient depends on spin degree of freedom when the leads’ magnetic moments are in parallel configuration. When the leads’ polarization is varied, the charge Seebeck coefficients are less influenced, whereas those of the spin counterparts are obviously changed. The magnitudes of both the SSE coefficient and the spin figure of merit (FOM) will be enhanced by increasing the asymmetry of the leads’ spin polarization. In the presence of the spin-dependent interdot couplings, the strengths of the charge and spin thermoelectric quantities are individually suppressed and enhanced, and then the magnitudes of the SSE coefficient and the spin FOM are comparable to those of the charge counterparts. Interestingly, by the joint effects of the ferromagnetism on the leads and the spin-dependent interdot couplings, the spin thermopower can even changes its sign around the antiresonance states.

     

Controllable Spin-Polarized Transport in a Three-Terminal Model

By means of the Keldysh Green's function method, we investigate the spin-polarized electron transport in a three-terminal device, which is composed of three normal metal leads and two serially-coupled quantum dots (QDs). The Rashba spin-orbit interaction (RSOI) is also considered in one of the QDs. We show that the spin-polarized charge current with arbitrary spin polarization can be obtained because of the quantum spin interference effect arising from the Rashba spin precession phase, and it can be modulated by the system parameters such as the applied external voltages, the RSOI strength, the QD levels, as well as the dot-lead coupling strengths. Moreover, a fully spin-polarized current or a pure spin current without any accompanying charge current can also be controlled to flow in the system. Our findings indicate that the proposed model can serve as an all-electrical spin device in spintronics field.     

Correlation-induced resonances in transport through coupled quantum dots

We investigate the effect of local electron correlations on transport through parallel quantum dots. The linear conductance as a function of gate voltage is strongly affected by the interplay of the interaction U and quantum interference. We find a pair of novel correlation-induced resonances separated by an energy scale that depends exponentially on U. The effect is robust against a small detuning of the dot energy levels and occurs for arbitrary generic tunnel couplings. It should be observable in experiments on the basis of presently existing double-dot setups.     

Quantum pump in a system with both Rashba and Dresselhaus spin–orbit couplings

We investigate the adiabatic quantum pump phenomena in a semiconductor with Rashba and Dresselhaus spin–orbit couplings (SOCs). Although it is driven by applying spin-independent potentials, the system can pump out spin-dependent currents, i.e., generate nonzero charge and spin currents at the same time. The SOC can modulate both the magnitude and the direction of currents, exhibiting an oscillating behavior. Moreover, it is shown that the spin current has different sensitivities to two types of the SOC. These results provide an alternative method to adjust pumped current and might be helpful for designing spin pumping devices.     

Observation of intrinsic inverse spin Hall effect

We report observation of intrinsic inverse spin Hall effect in undoped GaAs multiple quantum wells with a sample temperature of 10 K. A transient ballistic pure spin current is injected by a pair of laser pulses through quantum interference. By time resolving the dynamics of the pure spin current, the momentum relaxation time is deduced, which sets the lower limit of the scattering time between electrons and holes. The transverse charge current generated by the pure spin current via the inverse spin Hall effect is simultaneously resolved. We find that the charge current is generated well before the first electron-hole scattering event. Generation of the transverse current in the scattering-free ballistic transport regime provides unambiguous evidence for the intrinsic inverse spin Hall effect.