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402-0596-00L 6 Credits DR , MSC D-MATL , D-PHYS , D-MAVT , D-ITET

The Physics of Quantum Dot Qubits

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Thomas Markus Ihn

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:17

Abstract

The lecture discusses the basic physics concepts of quantum dot charge and spin qubits from the experimental viewpoint. Among them are the Coulomb and Spin blockade, qubit manipulation techniques including elements of circuit QED, relaxation and decoherence mechanisms as well as qubit read-out techniques.

Objective

Students are able to understand modern experiments in the field of quantum dot qubits. They can critically reflect published research in this field and explain it to an audience of physicists. Students know and understand the fundamental phenomena related to qubit manipulation as well as decoherence and their significance. They are able to apply their knowledge to practical experiments in a modern research lab.

Content

1. Coulomb blockade and Constant Interaction Model, Excited State Spectroscopy 2. Rate equation model of state occupation and transport, resonant tunneling and co-tunneling 3. States in double quantum dots 4. Transport in double quantum dots 5. Charge qubit, Charge Noise and Phonon Relaxation 6. Spin States, Spin Blockade 7. Singlet-Triplet Qubit, Hyperfine Interaction 8. Charge detection, T1-time measurement 9. Spin-orbit interaction 10. AC excitation, Rabi oscillations 11. Landau-Zener-Tunneling, Landau-Zener Interference 12. Types of T2-times and their measurement 13. Qubit-Photon Coupling, Elements of Circuit QED 14. Qubit Implementations in Different Materials

Resources

Lecture Notes

Parts of the lecture are based on the book:T. Ihn, Semiconductor Nanostructures: Quantum States and Electronic Transport, ISBN 978-0-19-953442-5, Oxford University Press, 2010.

Learning Materials (Links)

Moodle course
Moodle-Kurs / Moodle course

General Information

Language: English
Levels: DR , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: oral 20 minutes

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	The Physics of Quantum Dot Qubits	Wed 13:45-15:30 (HCI D 8)	2 h weekly
exercise	The Physics of Quantum Dot Qubits	Wed 15:45-16:30 (HIT F 31.1) Wed 15:45-16:30 (HIT J 53)	1 h weekly

Offered In

Micro- and Nanosystems Master
- Core Courses
  - Recommended Core Courses
    - Energy Conversion and Quantum Phenomena
Physics Master
- Electives
  - Electives: Physics and Mathematics
    - Selection: Solid State Physics
Doctorate Materials Science (Further information at: )
- Subject Specialisation
  - Science & Technology of the Small (MaP Doctoral School)
Doctorate Physics (More Information at: )
- Subject Specialisation (Please note that this is an INCOMPLETE list of courses.)
Quantum Engineering Master
- Electives (This is a selection of courses particularly suitable for the MSc QE. In agreement with the tutor, students may choose other courses from the ETH course catalogue.)