Coupling of PbS quantum dots to photonic crystal cavities at room temperature

We demonstrate the coupling of PbS quantum dot emission to photonic crystal cavities at room temperature. The cavities are defined in 33% Al, AlGaAs membranes on top of oxidized AlAs. Quantum dots were dissolved in poly(methylmethacrylate) and spun on top of the cavities. Quantum dot emission is shown to map out the structure resonances. This technique may prove to be viable sources for room temperature cavity coupled single photon generation for quantum information processing applications. Moreover, our results also indicate that such commercially available quantum dots can be used for passive structure characterization. The deposition technique is versatile and allows layers with different dot densities and emission wavelengths to be redeposited on the same chip. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.