University of Ottawa

Purpose

The Project will support the development of polarisation resolved single photon sensors over a broad range of photon energies (THz - telecom - visible) using photoexcitation of trions in gate defined quantum circuits in 2D quantum materials. Unique advantages of 2D quantum materials include bandgap tunability, photon polarisation to valley optical transitions, high quantum coherence and trion binding energy exceeding room temperature. The Project will support the development of quantum sensors in that quantum transport of a single electron from source to drain through a quantum dot (QD) proceeds at a specific value of back-gate voltage. When a single photon is absorbed in a QD, an exciton is created. An electron coherently interacts with the exciton forming a trion, changing the required back-gate voltage and quenching transport. Hence, the presence of a single exciton absorbed by a single photon can be electrically detected at a single electron level. The team will also explore methods to enhance the photon-electron interaction such as coupling to an optical cavity. The Project will advance the state-of-the art technologies for single photon sensing by the development of 2D materials-based quantum sensors.