Fast Single-Shot Hold Spin Readout in Double Quantum Dots

Solid state spin qubits in quantum dots hold promise as scalable, high-density qubits in quantum information processing architectures. While much of the experimental investigation of these devices and their physics has focused on confined electron spins, hole spins in III-V semiconductors are attractive alternatives to electrons due to the reduced hyperfine coupling between the spin and the incoherent nuclear environment. In this talk, we will discuss a measurement protocol of the hole spin relaxation time $T_1$ in a gated lateral GaAs double quantum dot tuned to the one and two-hole regimes, as well as a new technique for single-shot projective measurement of a single spin in tens of nanoseconds or less. The technique makes use of fast non-spin-conserving inter-dot transitions permitted by strong spin-orbit interactions for holes, as well as the latching of the charge state of the second quantum dot for enhanced sensitivity [1]. This technique allows a direct measurement of the single spin relaxation time on time-scales set by physical device rather than by limitations of the measurement circuit. [1] S. A. Studenikin, J. Thorgrimson, G. C. Aers, A. Kam, P. Zawadzki, Z. R. Wasilewski, A. Bogan and A. S. Sachrajda, Appl. Phys. Lett. 101, 233101 (2012)