| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/G003750/1 |
| Title: |
Deterministic single photon source in carbon nanotubes mediated by surface acoustic waves |
| Principal Investigator: |
Ebbecke, Dr J |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Engineering and Physical Science |
| Organisation: |
Heriot-Watt University |
| Scheme: |
First Grant Scheme |
| Starts: |
01 September 2008 |
Ends: |
31 August 2011 |
Value (£): |
218,391
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Optoelect. Devices & Circuits |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Communications |
Electronics |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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17 Jul 2008
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ICT Prioritisation Panel (July 2008)
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Announced
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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A deterministic single photon source (SPS) is a crucial enabling technology for quantum information processing applications, which promise to have a huge impact in the 21st century. Examples of emerging quantum information processing technologies include quantum cryptography, quantum metrology and quantum imaging and sensing techniques. Producing an efficient single photon source at telecom wavelengths (1310 nm and 1550 nm), where transmission losses in optic fibre are lowest, is a major scientific and technological challenge. The aim of this project is the realisation and detailed investigation of an acoustically pumped deterministic single photon source using semiconducting single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and surface acoustic waves (SAW).This would be a novel high frequency source of quantum light based on single photon emission from a molecular system at wavelength suitable for telecommunication applications.Semiconducting SWCNT will be detected and contacted on piezoelectric substrates using nanotechnology processing. After verification of the semiconducting SWCNT characteristics additional top gates and side gates will be processed. Top gates are used to induce a quantum dot in the SWCNT and one purpose of the side gates is the creation of a pn-junction in the semiconducting SWCNT. SAW are launched and create a single electron transport through the induced quantum in the n-side of the SWCNT. The single charges are transport by the propagating SAW to the p-region and recombine with holes resulting in the emission of single photons. The device processing will be made in close collaboration with St. Andrews University, Augsburg University, Cambridge University and Edinburgh University. The frequency of this quantum light source is mainly determined by the SAW frequency and a frequency range from 1 GHZ up to at least 8 GHz will be examined. The emission wavelength is given by the SWCNT bandgap and efforts will be made to create a SPS at wavelengths relevant for telecommunication applications. A further advantage of the carbon nanotube system is their low refraction index will decreases the problem of efficient light outcoupling. Finally, the working temperature is mainly defined by the single charge transport through the quantum dot which is at the present time at least liquid helium temperature. But by decreasing the size of the SWCNT quantum dot the temperature can be raised.Parallel to the sample processing a low-temperature cryogen-free cryostat will be installed and tested. Also the measurement equipment will be set up and the functionality of the processed devices will be tested at low temperatures. The last stage of this project is the optical detection and single photon emission verification. This part will mainly be done in collaboration with three leading single photon counting groups at Heriot-Watt University: the groups led Prof Gerald Buller, Prof. Richard Warburton and Dr. Robert Hadfield and also by the industrial collaborators Toshiba (group of Dr Andrew Shields) and National Physical Laboratory (group of Dr JT Janssen). Their experience and expertise of single photon detection will contribute significantly to the progress of this project.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.hw.ac.uk |