English

The LANL Laboratory in the United States has achieved a light source that generates a circularly polarized single photon stream using a quantum light emitter

153
2023-09-02 14:48:48
See translation

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has developed a method for a quantum light emitter that stacks two different atomically thin materials together to achieve a light source that produces a stream of circularly polarized single photons. These light sources can in turn be used for a variety of quantum information and communication applications.

According to Los Alamos researcher Han Htoon, the work shows that single-layer semiconductors can emit circularly polarized light without the need for an external magnetic field.

"This effect has previously only been possible with high magnetic fields generated by bulky superconducting magnets, by coupling quantum emitters to very complex nanoscale photonic structures, or by injecting spin-polarized charge carriers into the quantum emitters." Our proximity effect approach has the advantage of low manufacturing costs and high reliability."

Polarization states are a means of encoding photons, so this result is an important step in the direction of quantum cryptography, or quantum communication. "With a light source that produces a single photon stream and introduces polarization, we basically have two devices in one."

The team stacked a single-molecule thick layer of tungsten diselenide semiconductors on top of a thicker layer of magnetic nickel-phosphorus trisulfide semiconductors. Using an atomic force microscope, the team created a series of nanoscale indentations on a thin layer of material.

When the laser is focused on the pile of material, the 400 nanometer-diameter indentation created by the atom microscope tool has two effects. First, the indentation forms a "well" or "depression" in the potential energy landscape. The electrons of the tungsten diselenide monolayer fall in the depression. This stimulates the emission of a single photon from the trap.

The nanoindentation also destroys the typical magnetic properties of the underlying nickel-phosphorus trisulfide crystals, creating a local magnetic moment pointing outward from the material. This magnetic moment causes the emitted photon to be circularly polarized. To experimentally confirm this mechanism, the team first conducted high-magnetic field spectroscopy experiments in collaboration with the Pulse Field Facility at the Los Alamos National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The team then worked with the University of Basel in Switzerland to measure the tiny magnetic field of the local magnetic moment.

The team is now exploring ways to modulate the degree of circular polarization of single photons through electronic or microwave stimulation. This ability would provide a way to encode quantum information into a stream of photons. Further coupling of the photon stream to the waveguide will provide the photonic circuit so that the photons propagate in one direction. Such circuits will become a fundamental component of an ultra-secure quantum Internet.

Source: OFweek

Related Recommendations
  • Laser technology helps wafer bonding, creating a cutting-edge laser system production factory

    Recently, Coherent LaserSystems, the global leader in laser and photon solutions, and Fraunhofer IZM-ASSID jointly announced that they have reached a strategic partnership to develop and optimize alternative bonding and debonding technologies for advanced CMOS and heterogeneous integrated applications (including quantum computing), in which laser technology plays a crucial role. It is reported t...

    2024-06-19
    See translation
  • New insights into the interaction between femtosecond laser and living tissue

    The N-linear optical microscope has completely changed our ability to observe and understand complex biological processes. However, light can also harm organisms. However, little is known about the mechanisms behind the irreversible disturbances of strong light on cellular processes.To address this gap, the research teams of Hanieh Fattahi and Daniel Wehner from the Max Planck Institute for Photos...

    2024-06-07
    See translation
  • A new type of electrically driven organic semiconductor laser can be used in the fields of spectroscopy, metrology, and sensing

    According to a report from Maims Consulting, scientists at the University of St. Andrews in the UK recently stated that they have made a "significant breakthrough" in the decades of challenges in developing compact organic semiconductor laser technology.Firstly, an OLED with a world record light output was manufactured, and then integrated with a polymer laser structure. This new type of las...

    2023-10-07
    See translation
  • GeoCue introduces three new TrueView 3D imaging systems

    Earlier this month, GeoCue, a liDAR mapping hardware and software provider, announced the launch of three new products for its TrueView 3D imaging system. These new systems combine laser scanning and high-resolution imaging, including the TV625, TV680 and TV680LR. All three systems are NDAA-compliant.All three systems are designed to be used in conjunction with drones, and the company note...

    2023-08-04
    See translation
  • Light Adv. Manuf. | Laser Direct Writing Assists Perovskite Optoelectronic Applications

    IntroductionMetal halide perovskites have excellent optoelectronic properties and have become the undisputed "star" materials in the semiconductor field, attracting great attention from both academia and industry. With a large amount of research investment, the application of perovskite covers various optical and optoelectronic fields such as single photon sources, micro nano lasers, photodetector...

    2024-03-25
    See translation