Can we use an embedded self assembled QD to cool a nano-mechanical resonator?
Abstract
A possible scheme of laser cooling a mechanical beam structure is presented. The idea is to confine the phonons in the beams to enhance their interactions with an embedded single quantum dot (SQD). Provided that one has both high mechanical quality factors (Q's) at frequency exceeding 100MHz for the beam and QD exciton transition that are broadened solely by spontaneous emission, one could cool and manipulate discrete phonon modes using optical excitation. To achieve high mechanical Q's, the mass of the beam must be minimized, which will bring the quantum dot into close proximity with the surface of the material. This in turn may broaden and degrade the optical performance of the structure. Accordingly, we have carried out a systematic measurement to study the changes of a SQD's linewidth with approaching surface. We found that the linewidth is broadened by surface states when their distance is about 10 to 40nm, which is not yet within the distance where quantum tunneling should come into play in our structure.
- Publication:
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APS March Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- March 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004APS..MARA36002W