Year: 2021
Type: preprint
Abstract: Controlling and manipulating individual quantum systems in solids underpins the growing interest in development of scalable quantum technologies1, 2. Recently, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has garnered significant attention in quantum photonic applications due to its ability to host optically stable quantum emitters3-7. However, the large band gap of hBN and the lack of efficient doping inhibits electrical triggering and limits opportunities to study electrical control of emitters. Here, we show an approach to electrically modulate quantum emitters in an hBN–graphene van der Waals heterostructure. We show that quantum emitters in hBN can be reversibly activated and modulated by applying a bias across the device. Notably, a significant number of quantum emitters are intrinsically dark, and become optically active at non-zero voltages. To explain the results, we provide a heuristic electrostatic model of this unique behaviour. Finally, employing these devices we demonstrate a nearly-coherent source with linewidths of ~ 160 MHz. Our results enhance the potential of hBN for tunable solid state quantum emitters for the growing field of quantum information science.
Source: Research Square
Institutions: University of Technology Sydney, The University of Melbourne
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Australian Research Council
OpenAlex ID: W3210912832