Nanophotonic droplet: a nanometric optical device consisting of size- and number-selective coupled quantum dots

Although recent advances in fabrication technologies have allowed the realization of highly accurate nanometric devices and systems, most approaches still lack uniformity and mass-production capability sufficient for practical use. We have previously demonstrated a novel technique for autonomously coupling heterogeneous quantum dots to induce particular optical responses based on a simple phonon-assisted photocuring method in which a mixture of quantum dots and photocurable polymer is irradiated with light. The cured polymer sequentially encapsulates coupled quantum dots, forming what we call a nanophotonic droplet. Recently, we found that each quantum dot in the mixture is preferably coupled with other quantum dots of similar size due to a size resonance effect of the optical near-field interactions between them. Moreover, every nanophotonic droplet is likely to contain the same number of coupled quantum dots. In this paper, we describe the basic mechanisms of autonomously fabricating nanophotonic droplets, and we examine the size- and number-selectivity of the quantum dots during their coupling process. The results from experiments show the uniformity of the optical properties of mass-produced nanophotonic droplets, revealed by emission from the contained coupled quantum dots, due to the fundamental characteristics of our method.     

Optical pulsation mechanism based on optical near-field interactions

We theoretically demonstrate optical pulsation based on optical near-field interactions between quantum nanostructures. It is composed of two quantum dot systems, each of which consists of a combination of smaller and larger quantum dots, so that optical excitation transfer occurs. With an architecture in which the two systems take the role of a timing delay and frequency up-conversion, we observe pulsation in populations pumped by continuous-wave light irradiation. The pulsation is induced with suitable setting of parameters associated with the optical near-field interactions. This will provide critical insights toward the design and implementation of experimental nanophotonic pulse generating devices.     

Fixed-distance coupling and encapsulation of heterogeneous quantum dots using phonon-assisted photo-curing

We propose a novel method of coupling heterogeneous quantum dots at fixed distances and capsulating the coupled quantum dots by utilizing nanometric local curing of a photo-curable polymer caused by multistep electronic transitions based on a phonon-assisted optical near-field process between quantum dots. Because the coupling and the capsulating processes are triggered only when heterogeneous quantum dots floating in a solution closely approach each other to induce optical near-field interactions between them, the distances between the coupled quantum dots are physically guaranteed to be equal to the scale of the optical near fields. To experimentally verify our idea, we fabricated coupled quantum dots, consisting of CdSe and ZnO quantum dots and a UV-curable polymer. We also measured the photoluminescence properties due to the quantum-dot coupling and showed that the individual photoluminescences from the CdSe and ZnO quantum dots exhibited a trade-off relationship.     

Structural dependency of optical excitation transfer via optical near-field interactions between semiconductor quantum dots

The distribution dependency of quantum dots was theoretically and experimentally investigated with respect to the basic properties optical excitation transfer via optical near-field interactions between quantum dots. The effects of three-dimensional structure and arraying precision of quantum dots on the signal transfer performance were analyzed. In addition, the quantum dot distribution dependency of the signal transfer performance was experimentally evaluated by using stacked CdSe quantum dots and an optical near-field fiber probe tip laminated with quantum dots serving as an output terminal, showing good agreement with theory. These results demonstrate the basic properties of signal transfer via optical near-field interactions and serve as guidelines for a nanostructure design optimized to attain the desired signal transfer performances.     

Local observation and spectroscopy of optical modes in an active photonic-crystal microcavity

We report the direct, room-temperature, near-field mapping and spectroscopy of the optical modes of a photonic-crystal microcavity containing quantum wells. We use a near-field optical probe to reveal the imprint of the cavity mode structure on the quantum-well emission. Furthermore, near-field spectroscopy allows us to demonstrate the strong spatial and spectral dependence of the coupling between the sources and the microcavity. This knowledge will be essential in devising future nanophotonic devices.     

Coupled quantum dots as quantum exclusive-OR gate

The concepts relevant to quantum cellular automata and quantum computers are studied using a simple model of a quantum exclusive-OR (QXOR) gate device consisting of four coupled quantum dots. The QXOR device can be charged with up toN = 8 electrons. The quantum bits of the device correspond to states of the device in second quantized form. We use exact diagonalization techniques in the configuration space to calculate physical properties of QXOR as a function of the number of electronsNand external perturbations in the form of electric and magnetic fields. This allows us to investigate the switching of the QXOR gate, and its ability to store and transmit information.     

Pressure-induced modulation of the confinement in self-organized quantum dots produced and detected by a near-field optical probe

Near-field optical probing, or nanoprobing, achieves spatial resolution that surpasses the diffraction limit of light and makes possible the luminescence imaging and spectroscopy of single quantum dots in dense arrays of dots. We use optical nanoprobing to study self-organized InGaAs quantum dots grown on (3 1 1)B oriented GaAs substrates. Here, we emphasize a new feature of nanoprobing: pressure-induced strain modulation near the surface. Operating in near-field optical excitation–collection mode, the probe makes contact with the surface and exerts direct pressure whose main effect is a compressive uniaxial strain under the probe. By adjusting the applied pressure, we modulate the local strain environment in and around a quantum dot, but still preserve the capability to capture its near-field luminescence. Nanoprobe pressure effects modify the confinement potential and radiative emission of single quantum dots, and the coupling strength between dots. This opens new possibilities for the study and control of the optical and electronic properties of single- and coupled-quantum dots.     

10 Gb/s Reconfigurable Optical Logic Gate Using a Single Hybrid-Integrated SOA-MZI

Abstract

A novel reconfigurable Boolean device based on a single Mach-Zehnder interferometer with semiconductor optical amplifiers is demonstrated at 10 Gb/s using intensity return-to-zero modulated signals. The experimental results show that the device can be dynamically reconfigured to operate as a logic XOR, AND, OR, and NOT gate using optical switches. By properly adjusting the input powers, an extinction ratio higher than 10 dB may be obtained. The potential of integration of this architecture makes it an interesting approach in photonic computing and optical signal processing.     

Optically gated resonant emission of single quantum dots

We report on the resonant emission in coherently driven single semiconductor quantum dots. We demonstrate that an ultraweak nonresonant laser acts as an optical gate for the quantum dot resonant response. We show that the gate laser suppresses Coulomb blockade at the origin of a resonant emission quenching, and that the optically gated quantum dots systematically behave as ideal two-level systems in both regimes of coherent and incoherent resonant emission.     

Abnormal temperature dependence of photoluminescence from self-assembled InAs quantum dots covered by an InAlAs/InGaAs combination layer

In this report we have investigated the temperature dependence of photoluminescence (PL) from self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs) covered by an InAlAs/InGaAs combination layer. The ground state experiences an abnormal variation of PL linewidth from 15 K up to room temperature. Meanwhile, the PL integrated intensity ratio of the first excited state to the ground state for InAs QDs unexpectedly decreases with increasing temperature, which we attribute to the phonon bottleneck effect. We believe that these experimental results are closely related to the partially coupled quantum dots system and the large energy separation between the ground and the first excited states.     

10 Gb/s Reconfigurable Optical Logic Gate Using a Single Hybrid-Integrated SOA-MZI

A novel reconfigurable Boolean device based on a single Mach-Zehnder interferometer with semiconductor optical amplifiers is demonstrated at 10 Gb/s using intensity return-to-zero modulated signals. The experimental results show that the device can be dynamically reconfigured to operate as a logic XOR, AND, OR, and NOT gate using optical switches. By properly adjusting the input powers, an extinction ratio higher than 10 dB may be obtained. The potential of integration of this architecture makes it an interesting approach in photonic computing and optical signal processing.     

Two-Dimensional Near-Field Optical Spectroscopy in Magnetic Fields up to 4 T

We have developed a magnetic-field-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) system, which enables us to obtain two-dimensional near-field images under magnetic fields up to 4 T. We have performed two-dimensional near-field scanning optical spectroscopy on (Cd,Mn) Te self-assembled quantum dots with this system.     

以耦合量子点体系模块构造量子逻辑非门

我们使用处于居里温度附近的耦合量子点体系模块,并利用旋进磁场与其相互作用,构造一个二能级量子体系,使用驻波形式的电磁激励使其发生拉比振荡.由于该量子体系在统计力学上本质是一个纯粹系综,通过控制电磁激励作用时间的手段,我们可以实现一个输出信号易于被磁强计检测的量子逻辑非门.特别地,该量子逻辑门具备一定抗干扰性质.     

Demonstration of a simple entangling optical gate and its use in bell-state analysis

We demonstrate a new architecture for an optical entangling gate that is significantly simpler than previous realizations, using partially polarizing beam splitters so that only a single optical mode-matching condition is required. We demonstrate operation of a controlled-z gate in both continuous-wave and pulsed regimes of operation, fully characterizing it in each case using quantum process tomography. We also demonstrate a fully resolving, nondeterministic optical Bell-state analyzer based on this controlled-z gate. This new architecture is ideally suited to guided optics implementations of optical gates.     

纳米光子学的最新进展

论述了纳米光子学的最新进展，介绍了国际上的一些研究小组所做的关于纳米光子学的实验，包括纳米开关、近场光学探针技术、近场光化学气相沉积制备、基于等离子体激元波导实现的远近场能量的转换装置等内容，着重阐明实验原理和纳米制备技术中的一些关键问题。     

Hierarchy in optical near-fields based on compositions of nanomaterials

Optical near-field interactions exhibit hierarchical responses in the nanometer scale allowing unique functions in nanophotonic systems. Such hierarchical properties in optical near-fields originate various physical entities in the nanometer scale. Engineering nanomaterial compositions, while maintaining geometrically equivalent conditions, leads to characteristic hierarchical responses. We experimentally demonstrate such material-dependent optical near-field hierarchy using core–shell-type nanostructures composed of gold and silver.     

反射式无孔径近场Raman研究(英文)

近场扫描光学显微技术与Raman光谱技术的结合能够在纳米尺度下提供化学 /结构信息 ,这对很多应用都是至关重要的 ,比如硅器件 ,纳米器件 ,量子点及生物样品单分子研究。本文报导了采用无孔径探针的近场Raman研究。我们的系统有两大特征 :1 近场Raman的增强是通过金属探针上的银镀层实现的 ,无需样品准备 ;2 系统在反射模式下工作 ,适用于任何样品。这两点对实际应用是至关重要的。我们首次在实际硅器件上用 1秒积分时间获得了 1维近场Raman映射和 2维近场Raman图象。我们首次展示了由于积分时间短 ,该技术可用于成象用途。因此 ,这是近场扫描Raman研究中的一次巨大进步。此外 ,我们系统中采用的金属探针可同时用于AFM及电学特性成象 ,比如电阻 ,电容 ,这些是器件应用中的重要参数。     

Nanodot-cavity electrodynamics and photon entanglement

Quantum electrodynamics of excitons in a cavity is shown to be relevant to quantum operations. We present a theory of an integrable solid-state quantum controlled-phase gate for generating entanglement of two photons using a coupled nanodot-microcavity-fiber structure. A conditional phase shift of O(pi/10) is calculated to be the consequence of the giant optical nonlinearity keyed by the excitons in the cavities. Structural design and active control, such as electromagnetically induced transparency and pulse shaping, optimize the quantum efficiency of the gate operation.     

Pulse shaping and its characterization of mid-infrared femtosecond pulses: Toward coherent control of molecules in the ground electronic states

We have examined a technique of complex shaping of mid-infrared femtosecond laser pulses towards accurate and precise control of rovibrational wave packets of molecules in the ground electronic state. A Germanium acousto-optics modulator was used as a device for the pulse shaping. In order to characterize the shaped pulses precisely, sum-frequency cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating was introduced for the analysis of both amplitude and phase of the electric fields. The mid-infrared pulses were shaped and characterized with a frequency resolution better than 4.5 cm⁻¹. Such a resolution is supposed to be sufficient for the realization of quantum gate operations with high fidelity, which is one of the most challenging applications of rovibrational wave packet manipulation of molecules. In order to demonstrate the precision of our method of shaping and its characterization, we have generated shaped pulses that will realize Hadamard and NOT quantum gates with rovibrational states of a CO molecule.     

三量子比特纠缠Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger态和W态的量子线路实现

两个简单的量子线路被提出分别用来制备三量子比特Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger(GHZ)态和W态。众所周知,任意的多量子比特门都可以由受控非门和单量子比特门复合而成。同样,我们发现三量子比特GHZ态和W态也可以由受控非门和单量子比特门来制备。因此,从量子计算的角度来看我们的方案十分重要。由于在整个过程只用到了单量子比特操作和双量子比特操作,所以我们的方案在实验中很容易实现。