Entanglement-symmetry control in a quantum-dot Cooper-pair splitter

The control of nonlocal entanglement in solid state systems is a crucial ingredient of quantum technologies. We investigate a Cooper-pair splitter based on a double quantum dot realized in a semiconducting nanowire. In the presence of interdot tunneling the system provides a simple mechanism to develop spatial entanglement even in absence of nonlocal coupling with the superconducting lead. We discuss the possibility to control the symmetry (singlet or triplet) of spatially separated, entangled electron pairs taking advantage of the spin-orbit coupling of the nanowire. We also demonstrate that the spin-orbit coupling does not impact over the entanglement purity of the nonlocal state generated in the double quantum dot system. Cooper-pair splitter realized in a nanowire acting as double quantum dot which is coupled to one superconductor (S) and two normal leads (N). Electron singlets in the superconductor are split nonlocally into the different dots as schematically shown in the figure. The entangled electrons in the two quantum dots are then transferred by tunneling, with rate math formula, to the normal leads.