Review abstract


Nature Photonics 1, 215 - 223 (2007)
doi:10.1038/nphoton.2007.46

Subject Categories: Quantum optics | Lasers, LEDs and light sources

Semiconductor quantum light sources

Andrew J. Shields1


Lasers and LEDs have a statistical distribution in the number of photons emitted within a given time interval. Applications exploiting the quantum properties of light require sources for which either individual photons, or pairs, are generated in a regulated stream. Here we review recent research on single-photon sources based on the emission of a single semiconductor quantum dot. In just a few years remarkable progress has been made in generating indistinguishable single photons and entangled-photon pairs using such structures. This suggests that it may be possible to realize compact, robust, LED-like semiconductor devices for quantum light generation.

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  1. Toshiba Research Europe Limited, 260 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0WE, UK
    e-mail: andrew.shields@crl.toshiba.co.uk

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