Wetting layer

In experimental physics, a wetting layer is an initial layer of atoms that is epitaxially grown on a surface upon which self-assembled quantum dots or thin films are created. The atoms composing a wetting layer can be semimetallic elements/compounds (usually InAs in the case of self-assembled quantum dots) or metallic alloys (for thin films). This article refers to the wetting layer used for quantum dot applications. By spraying a surface with layers of these atoms under high temperature, this wetting layer residue is produced on the surface. Wetting layers control the artificial atomic states of the quantum dot for uses in quantum information processing and quantum computation.