A quantum dot rolled-up microtube directional coupler

Abstract

A rolled-up microtube directional coupler made of twin microtubes is demonstrated. The microtube is made of a InGaAs/GaAs strained bilayer and InAs self-organized quantum dots are inserted in the GaAs layer. The input and coupled microtubes have length and outer diameter of ∼50 and 6 μm, respectively. The coupling characteristics have been analyzed by the three-dimensional finite difference time domain method. The coupling characteristics have also been measured with isopropyl alcohol, instead of air, as the surrounding media to demonstrate the potential of the device as a sensor.