Coherent control of single electrons: a review of current progress

TL;DR

This review summarizes recent advances in controlling single-electron quantum states for quantum information, highlighting experimental techniques, sources, and emerging physics with ultrashort pulses.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of experimental methods and recent progress in single-electron control and quantum optics in solid-state systems.

Findings

Development of single-electron sources compatible with integrated circuits

Experimental demonstrations of electron quantum optics with single electrons

Emerging physics from ultrashort voltage pulse experiments

Abstract

In this report we review the present state of the art of the control of propagating quantum states at the single-electron level and its potential application to quantum information processing. We give an overview of the different approaches which have been developed over the last ten years in order to gain full control over a propagating single electron in a solid state system. After a brief introduction of the basic concepts, we present experiments on flying qubit circuits for ensemble of electrons measured in the low frequency (DC) limit. We then present the basic ingredients necessary to realise such experiments at the single-electron level. This includes a review of the various single electron sources which are compatible with integrated single electron circuits. This is followed by a review of recent key experiments on electron quantum optics with single electrons. Finally we will present recent developments about the new physics that emerges using ultrashort voltage pulses. We conclude our review with an outlook and future challenges in the field.