In the sparkling field of quantum nanoelectronics our group has developed an original approach to the realisation of hybrid metal-semiconductor nanoelectronic devices. This approach, recently reported in Nature Nanotechnology, is based on the use of self-assembled semiconductor quantum dots grown on special silicon-on-insulator substrates. These nanomaterials have a range of unique properties which make them attractive both for a variety of device applications (e.g. in electronics, spintronics, and nanophotonics) and for fundamental studies.
The student will investigate novel types of systems of coupled quantum dots recently being developed in our laboratory at the CEA Grenoble. The self-assembled quantum dots are individually contacted by e-beam lithography and their electronic properties are studied by means magneto-transport measurements in a wide temeprature range down to cryogenic temperatures (< 15 mK). A special interest will be devoted to their spin-related physics. In particular we intend to explore different mechanisms to couple spins at a distance, such as a spin-spin coupling mediated by the spin-orbit interaction. In this project, the student will be given the possibility to acquire a variety of competences in nano-fabrication, cryogenics, low-noise electronic transport, and high-frequency measurements.