Eur. Phys. J. D (2014) 68: 377
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2014-50717-x

Colloquium

Quantum optics with quantum dots

Towards semiconductor sources of quantum light for quantum information processing

¹ CNRS-Laboratoire de Photonique et de Nanostructures, Route de Nozay, 91460 Marcoussis, France
² CEA-CNRS-UJF, “Nanophysique et Semiconducteurs” group, CEA−INAC−SP2M, 38054 Grenoble, France

^a e-mail: isabelle.robert@lpn.cnrs.fr

Received: 29 September 2014
Received in final form: 4 November 2014
Published online: 18 December 2014

Abstract

For the past fifteen years, single semiconductor quantum dots, often referred to as solid-state artificial atoms, have been at the forefront of various research direction lines for experimental quantum information science, in particular in the development of practical sources of quantum states of light. Here we review the research to date, on the tailoring of the emission properties from single quantum dots producing single photons, indistinguishable single photons and entangled photon pairs. Finally, the progress and future prospects for applications of single dots in quantum information processing is considered.