NAQUOP · Nanodevices for Quantum Optics

We propose developing a nanodevice toolbox for single photon quantum optics. A scalable scheme to generate indistinguishable single photons, an interface to couple single photon polarization to a single electron spin and high efficiency single photon detectors represent the core of the scientific problems to be addressed in this project.We set the following research objectives: 1- Understand to what extent quantum dots can be made indistinguishable. 2- Interface coherently single photons to single electron spins via strain engineering in quantum dots. 3- Gain a better understanding of the limits to time resolution and detection efficiency of ultrafast superconducting single photon detectors.The proposed research effort will yield novel experiments: the realization of scalable indistinguishable quantum dot sources by frequency locking single quantum dots to atomic transitions, the demonstration of new selection rules in semiconductor nanostructures to couple photon polarization to the electron spin only, the development of ultrafast and high efficiency single photon and single plasmon detectors and their implementation in two photon interference and quantum plasmonics experiments.To carry out the work, multidisciplinary efforts where nanofabrication, quantum optics, semiconductor and superconductor physics will be merged to demonstrate the scalability of quantum dots for quantum information processing, providing crucial new knowledge in single photon optics at the nanoscale. The impact of the project will be important and far reaching as it will address fundamental questions related to the scalability of quantum indistinguishability of remote nanostructures.