Polarization memory in single quantum dots

We measured the polarization memory of excitonic and biexcitonic optical transitions from single quantum dots at either positive, negative or neutral charge states. Positive, negative and no circular or linear polarization memory was observed for various spectral lines, under the same quasi-resonant excitation below the wetting layer bandgap. We developed a model which explains both qualitatively and quantitatively the experimentally measured polarization spectrum for all these optical transitions. We consider quite generally the loss of spin orientation of the photogenerated electron–hole pair during their relaxation towards the many-carrier ground states. Our analysis unambiguously demonstrates that while electrons maintain their initial spin polarization to a large degree, holes completely dephase.     

Exciton fine structure splitting of single InGaAs self-assembled quantum dots

We show how the resonant absorption of the ground state neutral exciton confined in a single InGaAs self-assembled quantum dot can be directly observed in an optical transmission experiment. A spectrum of the differential transmitted intensity is obtained by sweeping the exciton energy into resonance with laser photons exploiting the voltage induced Stark-shift. We describe the details of this experimental technique and some example results which exploit the 1 μeV spectral resolution. In addition to the fine structure splitting of the neutral exciton and an upper bound on the homogeneous linewidth at 4.2 K, we also determine the transition electric dipole moment.     

Emission from neutral and charged excitons in a single quantum dot in a magnetic field

We report on optical spectroscopy of self-assembled InAs quantum dots in a magnetic field. We describe how we measure the emission characteristics of a single quantum dot (QD) in high magnetic fields at low temperature using a miniature, fiber-based confocal microscope. Example results are presented on a QD whose charge can be controlled using a field-effect device. For the uncharged, singly and doubly charged excitons we find a diamagnetism and the spin Zeeman effect. In contrast, for the triply-charged exciton we find a fundamentally different behavior. Anti-crossings in magnetic field imply that confined states of the QD are hybridized with Landau-like levels associated with the two-dimensional continuum.     

Evidence for two narrow pp resonances at 2020 MeV and 2200 MeV

From the study of the reaction $\text{π}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{p→p}{}_{\mathrm{F}}\text{p}\text{p}\text{π}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ using a fast proton (p_F) trigger device in the CERN Omega spectrometer, we find evidence for two narrow $\text{p}\text{p}$ states produced mainly in association with a Δ° (1232) and a N° (1520). The statistical significance of each peak is greater than 6 standard deviations. Masses and natural widths of these resonances are respectively M = 2020 ± 3 MeV, Λ₁ = 24 ± 12 MeV and M₂ = 2204 ± 5 MeV, Λ₂ = 16_?16⁺²⁰ MeV. Our data are consistent with a small production of the narrow ～ 1935 MeV resonance already reported. Production cross sections for these new $\text{p}\text{p}$ resonances are given.     

Synchrotron radiation measurements and calculation of core to conduction level transitions in lead chalcogenides

New high resolution reflectivity measurements on PbSe and PbTe using synchrotron radiation (18–26 eV) are studied using an OPW formalism based on recent improved EPM band structure models to determine the angular momentum character of the final conduction band states. Detailed analysis reveals that the reflectivity threshold is shifted to lower energies by 0.8 eV compared to results derived from photoemission and low energy reflectivity data. Electron-hole interactions are suggested as a possible explanation for this shift.     

Surface science done at third generation synchrotron radiation facilities

In this paper we present a few examples of surface science done at third generation synchrotron facilities. As explained in the introduction, third generation sources are characterised by a gain in brightness of three or four orders of magnitude. This allows performing experiments which were difficult or impossible before. The first part of the paper is dealing with experiments on magnetic materials and shows how dichroism and surface diffraction can bring new information. In the second part, we discuss two examples related to catalysis: the elementally resolved imaging of chemical waves and the structure of chemisorbs layers on a nickel surface at atmospheric pressure.

How do atoms assemble in monatomic liquids? Do they form clusters? This question has been without answer for many years and it is only recently that an X-ray experiment has solved the problem. The fourth part of the paper describes recent results on the electronic properties of high T_c superconductors and heavy fermions, studied by high resolution photoemission. Finally, we present a prospect of a few experiments that could be done in the near future.