Collaborative Research: Spin Physics `by design' in quantum dot molecules

非技术现代电子设备(例如计算机硬盘驱动器)使用“旋转”来存储信息。其他光电子器件(例如激光)使用光来传输信息。该项目研究的是能够在单一系统中集成这两种功能的新材料。我们将探索半导体量子点的耦合对的性质，它们的行为类似于具有独特和可调性质的分子。研究结果将为建立更快、更强大的计算、信息传输和信息存储设备提供科学基础。该项目将培训研究生进行研究。它还将通过将亲身实践的科学实验带入K-12课堂，帮助激励和教育年轻学生。技术上，耦合成对的半导体量子点被称为量子点分子，因为单个量子点之间的相干隧穿导致形成具有独特和可调性质的分子态。该项目将为量子点分子中单个电荷的量身定做的属性预测设计奠定科学基础。为了实现这一目标，研究小组正在调查量子点分子的结构、组成和电场环境的具体变化，他们假设这些变化将导致新的光电子和自旋性质。该团队将使用分子束外延生长设计的量子点分子，并制造允许应用打破分子对称性的二维电场分布的器件结构。由此产生的光电子和自旋性质将在低温和高磁场下用光学光谱进行表征。该团队将开发必要的计算工具，以准确预测包含GaBiAs和稀土纳米夹杂物等非传统材料的新量子点络合物的性质。理论和实验之间的密切互动将允许计算模型的改进和验证，为具有定制特性的固态纳米结构的预测工程奠定基础。

Non-TechnicalModern electronic devices (e.g. computer hard drives) use "spin" to store information. Other optoelectronic devices (e.g. lasers) use light to transmit information. This project investigates new materials that could integrate these two functions in a single system. We will explore the properties of coupled pairs of semiconductor quantum dots that behave like molecules with unique and tunable properties. The results will provide the scientific foundation for building faster and more powerful computing, information transmission and information storage devices. The project will train graduate students in the conduct of research. It will also help to inspire and educate younger students by bringing hands-on scientific experiments into K-12 classrooms. TechnicalCoupled pairs of semiconductor quantum dots are called quantum dot molecules because coherent tunneling between the individual quantum dots leads to the formation of molecular states with unique and tunable properties. This project will develop the scientific foundation for predictive design of tailored properties for individual charges confined within quantum dot molecules. To accomplish this objective, the research team is investigating specific changes in the structure, composition and electric field environment of the quantum dot molecule that they hypothesize will lead to new optoelectronic and spin properties. The team will grow designed quantum dot molecules using molecular beam epitaxy and fabricate device structures that allow application of two-dimensional electric field profiles that break the molecular symmetry. The resulting optoelectronic and spin properties will be characterized with optical spectroscopy at low temperatures and in high magnetic fields. The team will develop the computational tools necessary to accurately predict the properties of new quantum dot complexes that incorporate nontraditional materials such as GaBiAs and rare-earth nanoinclusions. Close interaction between theory and experiment will allow refinement and validation of the computational models, setting the stage for predictive engineering of solid state nanostructures with tailored properties.