Quantum dot device

Abstract

A silicon-based quantum device for confining charge carriers is provided. The device comprises: a substrate having a first planar region 137; a silicon layer 32 which forms part of the substrate and includes a step 33 with an edge 34 and a second planar region 135, wherein the second planar region 135 is substantially parallel to and offset from the first planar region 137; a first electrically insulating layer 42 provided on the silicon layer 32, overlying the step 33; a first metallic layer 51, provided on the first electrically insulating layer 42, overlying the step 33, arranged to be electrically connected such that a first confinement region 10 can be induced in which a charge carrier or charge carriers can be confined at the edge 34; and a second metallic layer 52, provided overlying the second planar region 135 of the silicon layer, wherein the second metallic layer is: electrically separated from the first metallic layer 51; and arranged to be electrically connected such that a second confinement region 11 can be induced in which a charge carrier or charge carriers can be confined only in the second planar region 135 of the silicon layer 32 under the second metallic layer 52, and the first confinement region 10 is couplable to the second confinement region 11; wherein the first confinement region 10 is displaced from the second confinement region 11 in a direction that is perpendicular to the edge 34. A method of assembling a silicon-based quantum device and a method of using a silicon-based quantum device are also provided.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.