Using Single Photons Like Bricks in a House
This innovative gadget can be used to develop single photons, Steindl explains. “The resonant laser excites an electron in the quantum dot from its ground energy state to a higher one. The quantum dot gives off a single photon when it falls back to the ground state. The microcavity conveniently directs this photon toward the rest of our setup. The challenge, nevertheless, is to separate this photon from the laser light. It has the very same wavelength as the laser but a slightly various polarisation. You can make use of that home to isolate the photon. Throughout my PhD, I enhanced this method and checked out.”
Getting the single photons was just the first action in Steindls research study. “When you have high-quality single photons– particles of light– its a bit like a brick,” he shows his work. My goal was to combine individual photons to construct complex structures of light.
Petr Steindl. Credit: Leiden University
The Physics of Single Photons
Single photon physics is a reasonably new field. Technological advancements like utilizing the quantum dots in optical microcavities, have made it simpler to control the production of single photons. Another advantage of the microcavity is that the photon is ejected with a high speed, guaranteeing it keeps its state much better.
Benefits for Quantum Technologies
The vision is to ultimately utilize these unique light structures for quantum interaction says Steindl. “We know that single photons are helpful for security and authentication. You can send out two identical single photons from different places on a beam splitter.
It is remarkable, the potential for quantum applications practically seems like a side-effect to me. Changing from literature to quantum was perhaps a big action, but it has been amazing enough to invest several years on and Im not tired of it yet.”
Petr Steindl, a quantum physicist, concentrates on developing intricate light structures with single photons, checking out the possibilities of quantum optics and its applications in innovation.
Petr Steindl creates complicated structures of light using single photons. Recently he made his PhD after protecting his thesis on quantum optics and quantum dot systems.
” Simply speaking, a quantum dot is a little island of semiconducting material,” Steindl clarifies the subject of his thesis. The scientist puts this quantum dot in an optical microcavity to control it more efficiently. The quantum dot does not like connecting with light, however the optical cavity makes it more most likely since the laser passes the dot many times.”
Petr Steindl. Credit: Leiden University
Petr Steindl creates intricate structures of light utilizing single photons. When it falls back to the ground state, the quantum dot discharges a single photon. Getting the single photons was only the first step in Steindls research. “When you have premium single photons– particles of light– its a bit like a brick,” he illustrates his work. Technological developments like utilizing the quantum dots in optical microcavities, have made it easier to control the production of single photons.
” I discover it totally remarkable that it is possible at all to develop these light structures.”– Petr Steindl