Simulation software for modelling nitride-based quantum light sources

量子光子学是一个新兴技术领域，有望给科学和日常生活带来革命性的变化。在其他好处中，预计它将迎来超安全通信、强大的超高速计算机和极大地增加数据存储。这些进展都是基于开发单光子源的前提：一种特殊的光源，其特征是一次发射一个光子。半导体量子点(QD)是一种纳米级的半导体夹杂在另一种半导体中的体系，是一种极具吸引力的单光子源候选体系。然而，它们的工作温度非常低，需要液氦冷却，这是一个主要缺点。这一重大问题可以通过开发能够在更高温度下发射单光子的氮化物量子点来克服。该项目旨在测试Quantopticon强大的仿真软件在类似于其可能销售的环境中的应用，使其工作更快、更有效，并为其提供用户友好的界面。我们将证明该软件可以在一个重要的技术领域产生影响。我们的模拟工具将不再需要进行多次昂贵的实验，从而极大地加速和优化氮化物QD器件的设计和制造。

Quantum photonics is an emergent field of technology promising to revolutionise science and day-to-day life alike. Amongst other benefits, it is anticipated that it will usher in ultra-secure communication, powerful super-fast computers and vastly increased data storage. These advancements are all based on the premise of developing single-photon sources: special sources of light characterised by emitting one photon at a time. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), consisting of nanometre-sized inclusions of one semiconductor within another, are atom-like systems emerging as attractive candidates for single-photon sources. However, they operate at very low temperatures requiring liquid helium cooling, which is a major drawback. This significant problem can be overcome by developing nitride QDs capable of emitting single photons at much higher temperatures. This project aims to test the application of Quantopticon's powerful simulation software in a context similar to that in which it might be sold, make it work faster and more effectively and provide it with a user-friendly interface. We will demonstrate that the software can have impact in a technologically important area. Our simulation tools will remove the need to carry out multiple, costly experiments, thus greatly accelerating and optimising the design and manufacture of nitride QD devices.