skip to main content


Title: Self‐Assembled InAs/GaAs Coupled Quantum Dots for Photonic Quantum Technologies
Abstract

Coupled quantum dots (CQDs) that consist of two InAs QDs stacked along the growth direction and separated by a relatively thin tunnel barrier have been the focus of extensive research efforts. The expansion of available states enabled by the formation of delocalized molecular wavefunctions in these systems has led to significant enhancement of the already substantial capabilities of single QD systems and have proven to be a fertile platform for studying light–matter interactions, from semi‐classical to purely quantum phenomena. Observations unique to CQDs, including tunableg‐factors and radiative lifetimes, in situ control of exchange interactions, coherent phonon effects, manipulation of multiple spins, and nondestructive spin readout, along with possibilities such as quantum‐to‐quantum transduction with error correction and multipartite entanglement, open new and exciting opportunities for CQD‐based photonic quantum technologies. This review is focused on recent CQD work, highlighting aspects where CQDs provide a unique advantage and with an emphasis on results relevant to photonic quantum technologies.

 
more » « less
NSF-PAR ID:
10458167
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Advanced Quantum Technologies
Volume:
3
Issue:
2
ISSN:
2511-9044
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Abstract

    Three‐dimensional (3D) subwavelength nanostructures have emerged and triggered tremendous excitement because of their advantages over the two‐dimensional (2D) counterparts in fields of plasmonics, photonic crystals, and metamaterials. However, the fabrication and integration of 3D nanophotonic structures with colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) faces several technological obstacles, as conventional lithographic and etching techniques may affect the surface chemistry of colloidal nanomaterials. Here, the direct fabrication of functional quasi‐3D nanophotonic structures into CQD films is demonstrated by one‐step imprinting with well‐controlled precision in both vertical and lateral directions. To showcase the potential of this technique, diffraction gratings, bilayer wire‐grid polarizers, and resonant metal mesh long‐pass filters are imprinted on CQD films without degrading the optical and electrical properties of CQD. Furthermore, a dual‐diode CQD detector into an unprecedented mid‐wave infrared two‐channel polarization detector is functionalized by embedding an imprinted bilayer wire‐grid polarizer within the CQDs. The results show that this approach offers a feasible pathway to combine quasi‐3D nanostructures with colloidal materials‐based optoelectronics and access a new level of light manipulation.

     
    more » « less
  2. Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) provide wide spectral tunability and high absorption coefficients owing to quantum confinement and large oscillator strengths, which along with solution processability, allow a facile, low-cost, and room-temperature deposition technique for the fabrication of photonic devices. However, many solution-processed CQD photodetector devices demonstrate low specific-detectivity and slow temporal response. To achieve improved photodetector characteristics, limiting carrier recombination and enhancing photogenerated carrier separation are crucial. In this study, we develop and present an alternate vertical-stack photodetector wherein we use a solution-processed quantum dot photoconversion layer coupled to an amorphous selenium (a-Se) wide-bandgap charge transport layer that is capable of exhibiting single-carrier hole impact ionization and is compatible with active-matrix readout circuitry. This a-Se chalcogenide transport layer enables the fabrication of high-performance and reliable solution-processed quantum dot photodetectors, with enhanced charge extraction capabilities, high specific detectivity (D* ∼ 0.5–5 × 1012 Jones), fast 3 dB electrical bandwidth (3 dB BW ∼ 22 MHz), low dark current density (JD ∼ 5–10 pA/cm2), low noise current (in ∼ 20–25 fW/Hz1/2), and high linear dynamic range (LDR ∼ 130–150 dB) across the measured visible electromagnetic spectrum (∼405–656 nm). 
    more » « less
  3. Abstract

    Halide perovskite colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) have recently emerged as a promising candidate for CQD photovoltaics due to their superior optoelectronic properties to conventional chalcogenides CQDs. However, the low charge separation efficiency due to quantum confinement still remains a critical obstacle toward higher‐performance perovskite CQD photovoltaics. Available strategies employed in the conventional CQD devices to enhance the carrier separation, such as the design of type‐Ⅱ core–shell structure and versatile surface modification to tune the electronic properties, are still not applicable to the perovskite CQD system owing to the difficulty in modulating surface ligands and structural integrity. Herein, a facile strategy that takes advantage of conjugated small molecules that provide an additional driving force for effective charge separation in perovskite CQD solar cells is developed. The resulting perovskite CQD solar cell shows a power conversion efficiency approaching 13% with an open‐circuit voltage of 1.10 V, short‐circuit current density of 15.4 mA cm−2, and fill factor of 74.8%, demonstrating the strong potential of this strategy toward achieving high‐performance perovskite CQD solar cells.

     
    more » « less
  4. Abstract

    Here, we report template‐assisted assembly of emissive carbon quantum dot (CQD) microcrystals on organized cellulose nanocrystals templates at the liquid–air interface. This large‐scale assembly is facilitated by the complementary amphiphilic character of CQDs and cellulose nanocrystals in the organized nematic phase. The resulting large microcrystals up to 200 μm across show unusually high emission that is not observed for limited CQDs aggregates. The dense crystal packing of CQDs in the layered fashion suppresses local molecular rotations and vibrations, thus restricting the intermolecular energy transfer and corresponding quenching phenomena. The as‐prepared crystals are mechanically stable and can be exploited for recyclable catalysis, enabling applications beyond the individual nanoparticles or disordered aggregates. The ligand‐templated assembly can be used to diversify CQD crystal architectures to guide formation of fibers, microplates, and micro‐flowers.

     
    more » « less
  5. Abstract

    Here, we report template‐assisted assembly of emissive carbon quantum dot (CQD) microcrystals on organized cellulose nanocrystals templates at the liquid–air interface. This large‐scale assembly is facilitated by the complementary amphiphilic character of CQDs and cellulose nanocrystals in the organized nematic phase. The resulting large microcrystals up to 200 μm across show unusually high emission that is not observed for limited CQDs aggregates. The dense crystal packing of CQDs in the layered fashion suppresses local molecular rotations and vibrations, thus restricting the intermolecular energy transfer and corresponding quenching phenomena. The as‐prepared crystals are mechanically stable and can be exploited for recyclable catalysis, enabling applications beyond the individual nanoparticles or disordered aggregates. The ligand‐templated assembly can be used to diversify CQD crystal architectures to guide formation of fibers, microplates, and micro‐flowers.

     
    more » « less