Single electron-spin memory with a semiconductor quantum dot

Abstract

We show storage of the circular polarisation of an optical field, transferring it to the spin-state of an individual electron confined in a single semiconductor quantum dot. The state is subsequently readout through the electronically-triggered emission of a single photon. The emitted photon shares the same polarisation as the initial pulse but has a different energy, making the transfer of quantum information between different physical systems possible. With an applied magnetic field of 2 Tesla, spin memory is preserved for at least 1000 times more than the exciton's radiative lifetime.