Related papers: Exact Multi-Valley Envelope Function Theory of Val…
Electron spin-qubits in silicon-germanium (SiGe) heterostructures are a major candidate for the realization of scalable quantum computers. A critical challenge in strained Si/SiGe quantum wells (QWs) is the existence of two nearly…
We compute valley splittings in Si/SiGe superlattices using ab initio density functional theory (DFT). This first-principle approach is expected to provide an excellent description of interfaces, strains, and atomistic disorder without…
We present an effective mass theory for SiGe/Si/SiGe quantum wells, with an emphasis on calculating the valley splitting. The theory introduces a valley coupling parameter, $v_v$, which encapsulates the physics of the quantum well…
A theory based on localized-orbital approaches is developed to describe the valley splitting observed in silicon quantum wells. The theory is appropriate in the limit of low electron density and relevant for proposed quantum computing…
Intervalley mixing between conduction-band states in low-dimensional Si/SiGe heterostructures induces splitting between nominally degenerate energy levels. The symmetric double-valley effective mass approximation and the empirical…
We discuss the choice and implementation of inter-valley potentials in the so-called two bands $\mathbf{k}\cdot\mathbf{p}$ model for the opposite $X$, $Y$ or $Z$ valleys of silicon. We focus on the description of valley splittings in…
Silicon spin qubits are marred by the valley degeneracy of the conduction band. In a nanodevice, the degeneracy is lifted by interfaces and alloy disorder, but the arising valley splitting is small, of order 100 $\mu$eV in Si/SiGe quantum…
We propose a system of real-space envelope function equations without fitting parameters for modeling the electronic spectrum and wave functions of a phosphorus donor atom embedded in silicon. The approach relies on the Burt-Foreman…
Multi-valley effective mass theory for silicon quantum well structure is studied taking into account the external fields and the quantum interfaces. It is found that the phenomenological delta function potential, employed to explain the…
The notoriously low and fluctuating valley splitting is one of the key challenges for electron spin qubits in silicon (Si), limiting the scalability of Si-based quantum processors. In silicon-germanium (SiGe) heterostructures, the problem…
In Si/SiGe heterostructures, the low-lying excited valley state seriously limit operability and scalability of electron spin qubits. For characterizing and understanding the local variations in valley splitting, fast probing methods with…
We present the theory and measurement of valley splitting in a quantum point contact (QPC) in a modulation doped Si/SiGe heterostructure. Our measurements are performed on a submicron Schottky-gated device. An effective mass theory is…
The coupling between $z$ valleys in the conduction band of a Si quantum well arises from phenomena occurring within several atoms from the interface, thus ruling out a theoretical description based on pure effective mass theory. However,…
Valley splitting is a key figure of silicon-based spin qubits. Quantum dots in Si/SiGe heterostructures reportedly suffer from a relatively low valley splitting, limiting the operation temperature and the scalability of such qubit devices.…
Quantum dots in SiGe/Si/SiGe heterostructures host coherent electron spin qubits, which are promising for future quantum computers. The silicon quantum well hosts near-degenerate electron valley states, creating a low-lying excited state…
Last year, Salfi et al. made the first direct measurements of a donor wave function and found extremely good theoretical agreement with atomistic tight-binding [Salfi et al., Nat. Mater. 13, 605 (2014)]. Here, we show that multi-valley…
The presence of low-energy valley excitations in Si/SiGe heterostructures often causes spin qubits to fail. It is therefore important to develop robust protocols for characterizing the valley coupling. Here, we show that realistically sized…
Electron spins in Si/SiGe quantum wells suffer from nearly degenerate conduction band valleys, which compete with the spin degree of freedom in the formation of qubits. Despite attempts to enhance the valley energy splitting…
We examine energy spectra of Si quantum dots embedded into Si_{0.75}Ge_{0.25} buffers using atomistic numerical calculations for dimensions relevant to qubit implementations. The valley degeneracy of the lowest orbital state is lifted and…
Silicon quantum chips offer a promising path toward scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing, with the potential to host millions of qubits. However, scaling up dense quantum-dot arrays and enabling qubit interconnections through…