Fundamental Laser Spectroscopy

Much of the work in our lab is characterizing the MBE grown III-V quantum well/dot samples before and after nano-cavities are fabricated. Once a sample is grown the photoluminescence (PL) is checked to ensure that the PL is in the desired wavelength range for the nano-cavity design. For quantum dot samples the ensemble PL is checked as well as the PL from a single quantum dot using a micro-PL setup. The surface roughness/quantum dot density, depending on the sample, is checked using atomic force microscopy. From there, the fabrication of the nano-cavities can take place either at one of our collaborator’s facility or in the clean room at the College of Optical Sciences. With the completed structure, the cavity resonance must be checked, usually using a transmission or PL measurement. Other capabilities include time-resolved PL measurement, pump-probe spectroscopy, photon statistics, and more.

PL from a single quantum dot

g(2)(tau) statistics of a quantum dot coupled to a 2D photonics crystal cavity

A typical spectroscopTypicalSpectroscopySetupy lab setup.