MASTER DE PHYSIQUE ET APPLICATIONS

Spécialité Sciences des Matériaux et Nano-objets

International Nanomat Master Program

Master thesis proposal (M2) 2015-2016

Laboratory : Institute des NanoSciences de Paris
Address : 4 Place Jussieu
Laboratory director : Christophe Testelin /
Internship supervisor : Paola Atkinson and Valia Voliotis
Phone : e-mail: ,
website: www.insp.jussieu.fr

Fabrication and measurement of excitonic states of quantum dot molecules

Single spins confined in quantum dots have been proposed as the building blocks for optoelectronic logic gates (See e.g. Physical Review B 86, 085319 (2012)). However, to be able to carry out quantum computation, the interaction between these single spins needs to be controlled in a coherent manner.

One way to do this is to place two quantum dots in close proximity to each other – a so-called quantum dot molecule, where electrons (or holes) can tunnel between the two dots. Since these two dots are rarely exactly the same size, an electric field needs to be applied to bring the energy levels into resonance, to new electron (or hole) states which are delocalised across the two dots.

In this project we intend to study novel ways to grow quantum dot molecules using a state-of-the-art molecular beam epitaxy machine, and to investigate the degree of coupling between the two dots using low temperature photoluminescence measurements under applied electric field.

The student will have the opportunity to participate in all the stages of development of a new quantum device: from band-structure modelling, thin film growth, device design and fabrication, to the final low temperature photoluminescence measurements of quantum confinement effects.

Techniques in use :.thin film growth by molecular beam epitaxy, atomic force microscopy, semiconductor device design and processing in a clean-room, low-temperature photoluminescence measurements

Applicant skills : interest in device fabrication, basic chemistry knowledge, basic knowledge of semiconductor devices and quantum mechanics

Key words : Quantum dots

Paid internship: Yes

Matisse labex team : Yes,

Possibility for a thesis :Yes