SPIN-OPTRONICS

Spin effects for quantum optoelectronics

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'We propose to join the forces of ten leading European teams in order to achieve a critical mass in the new research field of Spin-Optronics, a vast novel research area at the crossroads of fundamental physics of quantum-mechanical spin, optoelectronics and nanotechnology, and establish the European leadership in this area on a world-wide scale. All three main directions of the Network research activities – growth and technology, spectroscopy and theory - will be concentrated on novel spin and light polarisation effects in nanostructures, utilising confinement of not only charges and spins, but also photons. In this field, the information is ultimately carried out by the spin of photons, can be encoded in the confined spin state and manipulated on the nano-scale and redelivered in a form of polarised photons. The four main project objectives are : 1°) Coherence of individual spin, storage of quantum information. 2°) Semiconductor entangled light sources. 3°) Interaction of free and localised spins in diluted magnetic semiconductors and hybrid structures. 4°) Spinoptronic devices based on cavity exciton polaritons. We are going to deliver a top level international level multidisciplinary training to 13 early stage researchers and 5 experienced researchers, offering them, in particular, a vast program of multinational exchanges and secondments. We will organise 4 project meetings, 3 schools and one final conference widely open to the whole scientific community. We expect this collaboration to achieve a breakthrough in establishing the fundament for the creation of new quantum devices and to overcome the existing severe fragmentation of research and training in this strategically important area, which is the main goal of our project.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

The quantum world is a frontier of discovery and new applications. An EU-funded training network has provided a turboboost to an emerging field exploiting photons in novel quantum optoelectronic devices.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

One of the most important and uniquely quantum properties of elementary particles is spin. This intrinsic angular momentum is unrelated to moving parts, it is quantised (has only certain discrete values) and, in the case of photons, it can be polarised or essentially aligned in a certain direction.

The quantum properties of a quantum of light, the photon, are opening the doors to amazing new devices until recently the stuff of science fiction. Spin-optronics is in an important and emerging new field that studies spin and optical polarisation in solids with the goal of creating quantum optoelectronic devices. Ten leading European teams joined forces to prepare a new generation of scientists in this strategic research area with EU funding of the project 'Spin effects for quantum optoelectronics' (SPIN-OPTRONICS).

The 18 early-stage and experienced researchers conducted cutting-edge research in 4 main areas under the guidance and mentoring of SPIN-OPTRONICS partners. Groundbreaking results were achieved in all areas.

Reversible control of single spins is of great interest for development of spintronics devices. The researchers successfully addressed the main challenges associated with control of single spins in quantum dot devices and demonstrated that control in several different systems.

Scientists also developed semiconductor entangled light-emitting diodes (ELEDs). Quantum entanglement occurs when the quantum state of one particle is dependent on that of another. The ELEDs were used in groundbreaking experiments related to quantum information processing and quantum-based secure communication (quantum key distribution).

Spin interactions and magnetic effects were also explored, leading to fabrication of a new class of hybrid spin-optronic heterostructures. The project would not be complete without delivery of actual functioning devices. Scientists developed several polariton-based circuits (tunnel diodes, interferometers, switches) exploiting novel hybrid particles consisting of photons strongly coupled to an electric dipole. The project has also demonstrated that the polariton flows can support the propagation of superfluid spin currents and of magnetic charge analogs, moving close to the speed of light and being therefore a very promising vector for the ultrafast transfer and processing of information.

The SPIN-OPTRONICS training network has pushed the frontiers of an emerging new field whose potential for future commercial exploitation is huge. Establishing world leadership with a core group of European researchers will pave the way to important benefits for the EU and its economy in a time of severe economic crisis.