Dieter Bimberg: A Quarter Century of Quantum-Dot-Based Photonics

The electronic and optical properties of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are more similar to atoms in a dielectric cage than to those of a semiconductor with energy bands. Record low threshold current density, infinite emperature stability, defect resistance, also in space, and low chirp of semiconductor lasers was predicted and realized.

The Gaussian distribution of dot sizes and emission lineshape enables ultrashort optical and electrical pulse generation by mode-locking up to 80 GHz. Optical amplifiers based on QDs show tremendous advantages both for linear and nonlinear applications. Q-bit and entangled photon emission can be easily based on single localized QDs.

Dieter H. Bimberg was the Chair of Applied Physics, Executive Director of the Solid State Physics Institute, founder of the Center of Nanophotonics at Technische Universität Berlin. He is a member of the German and Russian Academies of sciences and the US National Academy of Engineering with 50,000+ citations of his work.