CAREER: Scalable quantum photonic devices based on vertical quantum dots and photonic crystals

目的：本计划的目的是解决目前半导体量子光子器件的可扩展性问题，该问题受到自组装量子点固有的随机成核过程的限制。该方法是设计、制造和表征一种新型的垂直量子点，它可以通过关于光子晶体谐振器模式的自上而下的制造技术大量精确定位。智力优势：量子信息科学是一个快速发展和高度跨学科的领域，具有在科学和工程领域引起革命性进步的潜力。几个量子点相对于空腔模式的空间排列仍然是一个开放的问题，量子网络的形成似乎相当具有挑战性。所提出的方法提供了克服这些挑战并演示可伸缩性的途径。如果成功，这项工作还将导致在芯片上展示多光子纠缠，并为研究先进的量子光学效应开辟了迷人的可能性，例如在清洁系统和非常受控的条件下研究光子封锁。更广泛的影响：拟议的工作本质上是变革性的，因为预期的可扩展量子光子器件可以在片上量子信息处理、量子通信、量子光刻和国家安全方面实现新的应用。教育活动以纳米物理暑期学校的形式整合了纳米技术的研究，面向本科生、高中和社区大学的教师。未被充分代表的群体将通过史蒂文斯技术浓缩计划被激励和鼓励参与，研究将在NSF GK-12计划内传播给K-12学生。

Objective: The objective of this program is to address the problem of scalability of semiconductor quantum photonic devices currently limited by the inherently random nucleation process of self-assembled quantum dots. The approach is to design, fabricate, and characterize a novel type of vertical quantum dot, which can be precisely positioned in large quantity by top-down fabrication techniques with respect to photonic crystal resonator modes. Intellectual Merit: Quantum information science is a fast growing and highly interdisciplinary field with the potential to cause revolutionary advances in science and engineering. Spatial arrangement of several quantum dots with respect to a cavity mode is still an open issue and formation of quantum networks seems quite challenging. The proposed approach offers a pathway to overcome these challenges and demonstrate scalability. If successful, this work will also lead to the demonstration of multi-photon entanglement on a chip and opens up fascinating possibilities to investigate advanced quantum optical effects such as photon blockade in cleaner systems and under very controlled conditions.Broader Impact: The proposed work is transformative in nature since the anticipated scalable quantum photonic devices enable novel applications in on-chip quantum information processing, quantum communication, quantum lithography, and national security. The educational activities integrate research in nanotechnology in form of a Nanophysics Summer School for undergraduates, as well as high-school and community college teachers. Underrepresented groups will be motivated and encouraged to participate via the Stevens Technical Enrichment Program and the research will be disseminated to K-12 students within the NSF GK-12 program.