Work

Toward triggered generation of indistinguishable single photons from MoTe2 quantum emitters

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Single-photon sources operating at telecom wavelengths are fundamental components for long-distance optical quantum communication and information processing. Two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides offer a promising platform for such sources, but their development has been hindered by limited spectral range and poor single-photon indistinguishability. Here, we demonstrate a reproducible approach for generating near-infrared (1090–1200 nm) quantum emitters in bilayer MoTe2 using deterministic strain and defect engineering. These emitters exhibit strong linear polarization, sub-nanosecond lifetimes, high single-photon purity (triggered g(2)(0) as low as ~0.01 under p-shell excitation), and resolution-limited emission. Electrostatic biasing enables spectral tuning, suppresses photon bunching, and shortens radiative lifetimes. Most notably, two-photon interference measurements reveal a Hong-Ou-Mandel visibility of ~7.1%, and up to ~60% with post-selection under p-shell excitation, which represents state-of-the-art performance for quantum emitters in the transition-metal dichalcogenide platform. These results establish MoTe2 as a viable platform for tunable, low-noise, high-purity single-photon sources for quantum photonics. Two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides are promising single-photon platforms but achieving photon indistinguishability remains challenging. Here, the authors realize reproducible near-infrared quantum emitters in bilayer MoTe2 with high purity, electrical tunability, and record indistinguishability.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-78808-y