An On-Demand Coherent Single Electron Source

TL;DR

This paper presents a controllable single electron source using a quantum dot, enabling on-demand electron injection with potential applications in quantum computing and precise current generation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel on-demand single electron emitter based on a quantum dot, advancing quantum conductor control and quantum bit implementation.

Findings

Electron emission time ranges from 0.1 to 10 nanoseconds.

Periodic emission generates a quantized AC-current.

Source could be useful for quantum bits in ballistic conductors.

Abstract

We report on the electron analog of the single photon gun. On demand single electron injection in a quantum conductor was obtained using a quantum dot connected to the conductor via a tunnel barrier. Electron emission is triggered by application of a potential step which compensates the dot charging energy. Depending on the barrier transparency the quantum emission time ranges from 0.1 to 10 nanoseconds. The single electron source should prove useful for the implementation of quantum bits in ballistic conductors. Additionally periodic sequences of single electron emission and absorption generate a quantized AC-current.