Picosecond coherent optical manipulation of a single electron spin in a quantum dot

Science. 2008 Apr 18;320(5874):349-52. doi: 10.1126/science.1154798.

Abstract

Most schemes for quantum information processing require fast single-qubit operations. For spin-based qubits, this involves performing arbitrary coherent rotations of the spin state on time scales much faster than the spin coherence time. By applying off-resonant, picosecond-scale optical pulses, we demonstrated the coherent rotation of a single electron spin through arbitrary angles up to pi radians. We directly observed this spin manipulation using time-resolved Kerr rotation spectroscopy and found that the results are well described by a model that includes the electronnuclear spin interaction. Measurements of the spin rotation as a function of laser detuning and intensity confirmed that the optical Stark effect is the operative mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.