Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Silicon Metal-oxide-semiconductor Quantum Dots for Single-electron Pumping
Published on: June 3, 2015
Spin and orbital structure of the first six holes in a silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor quantum dot
S D Liles1, R Li2,3, C H Yang4
1School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia. s.liles@unsw.edu.au.
Abstract:
Valence band holes confined in silicon quantum dots are attracting significant attention for use as spin qubits. However, experimental studies of single-hole spins have been hindered by challenges in fabrication and stability of devices capable of confining a single hole. To fully utilize hole spins as qubits, it is crucial to have a detailed understanding of the spin and orbital states. Here we show a planar silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor-based quantum dot device and demonstrate operation down to the last hole. Magneto-spectroscopy studies show magic number shell filling consistent with the Fock-Darwin states of a circular two-dimensional quantum dot, with the spin filling sequence of the first six holes consistent with Hund's rule. Next, we use pulse-bias spectroscopy to determine that the orbital spectrum is heavily influenced by the strong hole-hole interactions. These results provide a path towards scalable silicon hole-spin qubits.
Related Concept Videos
Quantum Numbers
Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
Schottky Barriers
Schottky barriers arise when a metal with a work function (Φm) contacts a semiconductor with a different work function (Φs). Initially, electrons transfer until the Fermi levels of the metal and semiconductor align at equilibrium. For instance, if Φm > Φs, the semiconductor Fermi level is higher than the metal's before contact. The...
Biasing of Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
In Schottky junctions, where the semiconductor is n-type, applying a positive voltage to the metal relative to the semiconductor reduces its Fermi...
The Quantum-Mechanical Model of an Atom
Atomic Orbitals
Properties of Transition Metals

