Orientation‐Dependent Optical‐Polarization Properties of Single Quantum Dots in Nanowires

Abstract

The absorption and emission polarization of single semiconductor nanowire quantum dots is studied. The polarization of light absorbed or emitted by such dots strongly depends on the orientation of the nanowire with respect to the directions along which light is incident or emitted (see image). This result is vital for photonic applications based on quantum dots, such as generation of entangled photons.