Optimal quantum control for conditional rotation of exciton qubits in semiconductor quantum dots

Pulse-shaping protocols for subpicosecond optically controlled quantum gates in semiconductor quantum dots are reported. Our emphasis is the development of shaping schemes for either amplitude or phase control of the pulse that are easily implemented using commercial pulse shapers and femtosecond laser systems. We illustrate the efficacy of our approach through simulations of a controlled-rotation gate in a realistic In(Ga)As quantum dot with electronic structure calculated using eight-band, strain-dependent k center dot p theory. Our results show that amplitude-and phase-shaping protocols both lead to substantial improvements in fidelity when compared with transform-limited pulses with equivalent gate times. Dephasing was found to have a minimal effect on the gate fidelities due to the ultrafast time scale of the quantum operations.