Scientists at Penza State University (PSU) have developed a new way to create energy-efficient lasers using wavelength tuning technology. The discovery can be widely used in spectroscopy in the development of quantum computers, the manufacture of microcircuits, the composition of substances, the study of drugs and information transmission systems. This was reported to socialbites.ca at the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.
The invention of scientists refers to devices based on quantum molecules. Unlike ordinary molecules, which are atoms connected by a chemical bond, quantum molecules are two quantum dots that are close together and interact with each other.
Quantum dots (sometimes called artificial atoms) are spherical or otherwise small particles of matter in which electrons cannot move freely. They are limited in three directions. Therefore, the discrete energy spectrum of electrons is approximately the same as in atoms. Quantum dots themselves are quite large compared to atoms and consist of many atoms,” Alexei Razumov, a PSU employee and co-author of the study, told socialbites.ca.
The scientific team discovered an interesting interaction pattern between two quantum dots. A tunneling effect (tunneling) occurs between artificial atoms – microparticles contained in a quantum dot break through the barrier, as if through a wall, and energy enters from one point to another.
The most important knowledge of PSU scientists is that they have learned to control the number of electrons passing through during tunneling. This was done using an electric field into which a quantum molecule was inserted.
“In an electric field, electrons become controllable. We can add and subtract them. So we can change the intensity of the light emitted by this laser,” added Razumov.
Thus, scientists were among the first to succeed in reconstructing the wavelength of laser production from the infrared range to the visible light range. The laser radiation transducer can be used wherever information is transmitted using light.