SPIN-OPTRONICS · Spin effects for quantum optoelectronics

We propose to join the forces of ten leading European teams in order to achieve a critical mass in the new research field of Spin-Optronics, a vast novel research area at the crossroads of fundamental physics of quantum-mechanical spin, optoelectronics and nanotechnology, and establish the European leadership in this area on a world-wide scale. All three main directions of the Network research activities – growth and technology, spectroscopy and theory - will be concentrated on novel spin and light polarisation effects in nanostructures, utilising confinement of not only charges and spins, but also photons. In this field, the information is ultimately carried out by the spin of photons, can be encoded in the confined spin state and manipulated on the nano-scale and redelivered in a form of polarised photons. The four main project objectives are : 1°) Coherence of individual spin, storage of quantum information. 2°) Semiconductor entangled light sources. 3°) Interaction of free and localised spins in diluted magnetic semiconductors and hybrid structures. 4°) Spinoptronic devices based on cavity exciton polaritons. We are going to deliver a top level international level multidisciplinary training to 13 early stage researchers and 5 experienced researchers, offering them, in particular, a vast program of multinational exchanges and secondments. We will organise 4 project meetings, 3 schools and one final conference widely open to the whole scientific community. We expect this collaboration to achieve a breakthrough in establishing the fundament for the creation of new quantum devices and to overcome the existing severe fragmentation of research and training in this strategically important area, which is the main goal of our project.