Electro-optic polarization tuning of microcavities with a single quantum dot

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Quantum Information Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Microcavities are crucial for controlling light-matter interactions.
• Quantum dots (QDs) are promising solid-state emitters for quantum technologies.
• Precise control over QD emission and cavity properties is essential for quantum applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a microcavity design for independent tuning of quantum dot wavelength and cavity mode birefringence.
• To enable perfect polarization degeneracy for polarization-based photonic quantum gates.
• To demonstrate a new method for achieving resonance between embedded quantum dots and microcavity modes.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an oxide aperture microcavity with embedded quantum dots.
• Implementation of a three-contact design for electrical tuning.
• Measurement of polarization splitting tuning and quantum dot wavelength tuning.

Main Results:

• Achieved independent tuning of quantum dot wavelength and cavity mode birefringence.
• Observed a polarization splitting tuning of approximately 5 GHz.
• Demonstrated the ability to tune quantum dot emission into resonance with the cavity, independent of polarization tuning.

Conclusions:

• The three-contact microcavity design offers independent control over key optical parameters.
• This method is suitable for achieving the polarization degeneracy required for photonic quantum gates.
• The demonstrated tunability advances the development of scalable quantum information processing platforms.