An Optical Single-Electron Spin Detector
For the use of electron spins in quantum information processing (QIP), we need to detect the spin state (up/down in some basis). This project will develop a spin detection technique for travelling electron wave packets, which would enable the use of electron wave packets as flying qubits interconnecting stationary qubit elements, as well the generation of entangled pairs. Spin measurements will use using a lateral p-n junction LED technology developed jointly by the Semiconductor Physics Group at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge and by NPL. Electrons from a single-electron source will be injected into a p-type region, and the polarisation of emitted photons will be measured. Experiments will be performed both in Cambridge and at NPL.
This project is a collaboration with Dr Masaya Kataoka at the National Physical Laboratory and is supported by an industrial CASE award. Applicants should demonstrate a coherent understanding of semiconductor physics, quantum mechanics or electronics.
A printable (PDF) description of this project is available here (343kB).
For more information, please contact Prof Chris Ford.