Unidirectional Quantum Transport in Optically Driven $V$-type Quantum Dot Chains

TL;DR

This paper predicts a novel population inversion mechanism in optically driven quantum dot chains, enabling unidirectional excitation transport without external bias through interplay of quantum transitions and phonon-induced decoherence.

Contribution

It introduces a new population trapping mechanism in V-type quantum dots and extends it to chains, enabling unidirectional transport independent of interdot coupling.

Findings

Achieves complete population inversion in driven quantum dots

Demonstrates unidirectional excitation transport in quantum dot chains

Shows independence from interdot coupling mechanisms

Abstract

We predict a mechanism for achieving complete population inversion in a continuously driven InAs/GaAs semiconductor quantum dot featuring $V$-type transitions. This highly nonequilibrium steady state is enabled by the interplay between $V$-type interband transitions and a non-Markovian decoherence mechanism, introduced by acoustic phonons. The population trapping mechanism is generalized to a chain of coupled emitters. Exploiting the population inversion, we predict unidirectional excitation transport from one end of the chain to the other without external bias, independent of the unitary interdot coupling mechanism.