Detuning Axis Pulsed Spectroscopy of Valley-Orbital States in Si/SiGe Quantum Dots

TL;DR

This paper introduces a spectroscopic method using standard pulsing techniques to measure valley excited state energies in Si/SiGe quantum dots, aiding the development of silicon qubits by understanding valley splitting dependencies.

Contribution

A novel spectroscopic approach for probing valley and orbital states in silicon quantum dots using standard pulsing techniques, enabling extensive energy spectrum measurements.

Findings

Narrower quantum wells can enhance valley splitting.

Valley splitting varies with quantum well width and fabrication conditions.

The method allows measurement of dozens of valley excited states across multiple devices.

Abstract

Silicon quantum dot qubits must contend with low-lying valley excited states which are sensitive functions of the quantum well heterostructure and disorder; quantifying and maximizing the energies of these states are critical to improving device performance. We describe a spectroscopic method for probing excited states in isolated Si/SiGe double quantum dots using standard baseband pulsing techniques, easing the extraction of energy spectra in multiple-dot devices. We use this method to measure dozens of valley excited state energies spanning multiple wafers, quantum dots, and orbital states, crucial for evaluating the dependence of valley splitting on quantum well width and other epitaxial conditions. Our results suggest that narrower wells can be beneficial for improving valley splittings, but this effect can be confounded by variations in growth and fabrication conditions. These results underscore the importance of valley splitting measurements for guiding the development of Si qubits.