On-Chip Electrostatic Actuation of a Photonic Wire Antenna Embedding Quantum Dots

A photonic wire antenna embedding individual quantum dots (QDs) constitutes a promising platform for both quantum photonics and hybrid nanomechanics. We demonstrate here an integrated device in which on-chip electrodes can apply a static or oscillating bending force to the upper part of the wire. In the static regime, we achieve control over the bending direction and apply at will tensile or compressive mechanical stress on any QD. This results in a blue shift or red shift of their emission, with direct application to the realization of broadly tunable sources of quantum light. As a first illustration of operation in the dynamic regime, we excite the wire fundamental flexural mode and use the QD emission to detect the mechanical vibration. With an estimated operation bandwidth in the GHz range, electrostatic actuation opens appealing perspectives for the exploration of QD-nanowire hybrid mechanics with high-frequency vibrational modes.

Automated summary

A photonic wire antenna with individual quantum dots embedded demonstrates promising prospects for quantum photonics and hybrid nanomechanics. By applying static or oscillating bending forces using on-chip electrodes, we achieve control over the bending direction and mechanical stress on the quantum dots, resulting in tunable quantum light sources. Operating in the dynamic regime, we excite the wire's flexural mode and detect mechanical vibration using the quantum dots' emission. The estimated operation bandwidth in the GHz range offers exciting possibilities for QD-nanowire hybrid mechanics exploration.