Optical pumping of a single electron spin bound to a fluorine donor in a ZnSe nanostructure

Here we demonstrate optical pumping of a single electron within a semiconductor nanostructure comprised of a single fluorine donor located within a ZnSe/ZnMgSe quantum well. Experiments were performed to detect optical pumping behavior by observing single photons emitted from the nanostructure when the electron changes spin state. These results demonstrate initialization and read-out of the electron spin qubit and open the door for coherent optical manipulation of a spin by taking advantage of an unconventional nanostructure.