Emerging technologies for quantum computing and cryptography require small components capable of emitting photons whose properties are precisely controlled. Researchers have been developing such components, and now a team has demonstrated a technique that provides control of direction, polarization, and intensity simultaneously [1]. Like previous experiments, the technique uses microscopic structures on a semiconductor surface to convert wave-like surface excitations to light waves. But the new demonstration uses shapes for these structures that allow more precise control over the outgoing light. The team expects the new technique to find wide use in efforts to build quantum technologies in miniature solid-state devices.
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