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Updated: Jul 25, 2026

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Silicon Metal-oxide-semiconductor Quantum Dots for Single-electron Pumping
Published on: June 3, 2015
Single quantum dot coupled to a scanning optical antenna: a tunable superemitter
J N Farahani1, D W Pohl, H-J Eisler
1Nano-Optics group, National Center of Competence for Research in Nanoscale Science, Institute of Physics, University of Basel, Klingelbergstr. 82, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
Physical Review Letters
|August 11, 2005
Summary
We show how a single quantum dot
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Plasmonics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Quantum dots are nanoscale semiconductor crystals with unique optical properties.
- Metallic nanoantennas can confine and enhance electromagnetic fields.
- Controlling quantum emitter relaxation is crucial for quantum technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the interaction between a single quantum dot and a bowtie antenna for visible light.
- To investigate the effect of the nanoantenna on quantum dot photoluminescence and excited-state lifetime.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a bowtie antenna on an atomic force microscopy tip using focused ion beam milling.
- Scanning the bowtie antenna over a single quantum dot.
- Measuring photoluminescence enhancement and excited-state lifetime reduction.
Main Results:
- Significant enhancement of quantum dot photoluminescence when coupled to the bowtie antenna.
- Noticeable decrease in the excited-state lifetime of the quantum dot.
- Demonstration of field confinement and enhancement by the nanoantenna.
Conclusions:
- Coupling a single quantum emitter to a metallic nanoantenna allows for control over its relaxation pathways.
- This interaction can be leveraged to enhance light emission and modify excited-state dynamics.
- Potential applications in quantum information processing and sensing.

