Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and an optical device for generating light. A conductive quantum well junction is positioned between a first electrode and a second electrode. The conductive quantum well junction is configured to enter into a resonant state to inelastically tunneling one or more electrons. The conductive quantum well junction may include a first dielectric layer, a third conductive layer, and a second dielectric layer. The third conductive layer may be positioned between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer may be coupled to the second electrode and the second dielectric layer is coupled to the first electrode.

Abstract: A metallic quantum well may be formed by interposing a layer of metallic well material two layers of barrier material. Two or more metallic quantum wells may be combined to form a coupled metallic quantum well. The absorption spectrum and the emission spectrum of the coupled metallic quantum well may be tuned by at least adjusting the dimensions of the individual metallic quantum wells and/or the materials forming the metallic quantum wells. The metallic quantum well and/or the coupled metallic quantum well may exhibit sufficient nonlinearity even at a miniaturized scale. As such, the metallic quantum well and/or coupled metallic quantum well may be used for a variety of on-chip applications including, for example, as part of an on-chip pulse limiter, an on-chip super-continuum generator, and/or the like.

Abstract: A metallic quantum well may be formed by interposing a layer of metallic well material two layers of barrier material. Two or more metallic quantum wells may be combined to form a coupled metallic quantum well. The absorption spectrum and the emission spectrum of the coupled metallic quantum well may be tuned by at least adjusting the dimensions of the individual metallic quantum wells and/or the materials forming the metallic quantum wells. The metallic quantum well and/or the coupled metallic quantum well may exhibit sufficient nonlinearity even at a miniaturized scale. As such, the metallic quantum well and/or coupled metallic quantum well may be used for a variety of on-chip applications including, for example, as part of an on-chip pulse limiter, an on-chip super-continuum generator, and/or the like.