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Semiconductor quantum optics in short

Light and matter alike are dualistic objects because they behave simultaneously as both particles and waves. This fundamental property can be described only by a full quantum-mechanical treatment. The related quantum effects produce extraordinary phenomena, especially, when light and matter interact. Quantum optics studies the related effects using simple systems such as atoms.

Semiconductors contain a massive number of electrons that strongly interact with each other via the Coulomb interaction. Therefore, one must combine the many-body quantum theory with the “traditional” quantum optics in order to explain extraordinary phenomena in semiconductor quantum optics.

Both quantum optics and semiconductor quantum optics are vitally important when developing nanotechnology applications, especially, in the field of quantum-information processing.


© 2011 Mackillo Kira and Stephan W. Koch - Imprint