This thesis describes a series of experiments in
order to understand and control the behavior of the
spin and charge degree of freedom of single
electrons, confined in semiconductor lateral quantum
dots. This research work is motivated by the
prospects of using the electron spin,
rather than its charge, as a quantum bit (qubit),
the basic building block of a quantum computer.
In this thesis, a number of important steps towards
the use of electron spins as qubits are reported:
the fabrication process of lateral quantum dots, the
isolation of single electrons in (double) quantum
dots, energy spectroscopy of few-electron spin
states, development of a new technique to probe a
nearly-isolated quantum dot, `single-shot' read-out
of the electron spin orientation, measurements of
the spin relaxation time, and increased
understanding of the interaction of the electron
spin with its environment.
order to understand and control the behavior of the
spin and charge degree of freedom of single
electrons, confined in semiconductor lateral quantum
dots. This research work is motivated by the
prospects of using the electron spin,
rather than its charge, as a quantum bit (qubit),
the basic building block of a quantum computer.
In this thesis, a number of important steps towards
the use of electron spins as qubits are reported:
the fabrication process of lateral quantum dots, the
isolation of single electrons in (double) quantum
dots, energy spectroscopy of few-electron spin
states, development of a new technique to probe a
nearly-isolated quantum dot, `single-shot' read-out
of the electron spin orientation, measurements of
the spin relaxation time, and increased
understanding of the interaction of the electron
spin with its environment.