Revealing multiple classes of stable quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride with correlated optical and electron microscopy.

Hayee, F; Yu, L; Zhang, JL; Ciccarino, CJ; Nguyen, M; Marshall, AF; Aharonovich, I; Vučković, J; Narang, P; Heinz, TF; Dionne, JA

Revealing multiple classes of stable quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride with correlated optical and electron microscopy.

Hayee, F Yu, L Zhang, JL Ciccarino, CJ Nguyen, M Marshall, AF Aharonovich, I

Vučković, J Narang, P Heinz, TF Dionne, JA

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Publisher:: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Nature materials, 2020, 19, (5), pp. 534-539
Issue Date:: 2020-05

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Hayee, F
dc.contributor.author	Yu, L
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, JL
dc.contributor.author	Ciccarino, CJ
dc.contributor.author	Nguyen, M
dc.contributor.author	Marshall, AF
dc.contributor.author	Aharonovich, I https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4304-3935
dc.contributor.author	Vučković, J
dc.contributor.author	Narang, P
dc.contributor.author	Heinz, TF
dc.contributor.author	Dionne, JA
dc.date.accessioned	2021-03-01T02:18:15Z
dc.date.available	2020-01-16
dc.date.available	2021-03-01T02:18:15Z
dc.date.issued	2020-05
dc.identifier.citation	Nature materials, 2020, 19, (5), pp. 534-539
dc.identifier.issn	1476-1122
dc.identifier.issn	1476-4660
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/146544
dc.description.abstract	Defects in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) exhibit high-brightness, room-temperature quantum emission, but their large spectral variability and unknown local structure challenge their technological utility. Here, we directly correlate hBN quantum emission with local strain using a combination of photoluminescence (PL), cathodoluminescence (CL) and nanobeam electron diffraction. Across 40 emitters, we observe zero phonon lines (ZPLs) in PL and CL ranging from 540 to 720 nm. CL mapping reveals that multiple defects and distinct defect species located within an optically diffraction-limited region can each contribute to the observed PL spectra. Local strain maps indicate that strain is not required to activate the emitters and is not solely responsible for the observed ZPL spectral range. Instead, at least four distinct defect classes are responsible for the observed emission range, and all four classes are stable upon both optical and electron illumination. Our results provide a foundation for future atomic-scale optical characterization of colour centres.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
dc.relation.ispartof	Nature materials
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1038/s41563-020-0616-9
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject.classification	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
dc.title	Revealing multiple classes of stable quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride with correlated optical and electron microscopy.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	19
utslib.location.activity	England
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-03-01T02:18:13Z
pubs.issue	5
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	19
utslib.citation.issue	5

Abstract:

Defects in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) exhibit high-brightness, room-temperature quantum emission, but their large spectral variability and unknown local structure challenge their technological utility. Here, we directly correlate hBN quantum emission with local strain using a combination of photoluminescence (PL), cathodoluminescence (CL) and nanobeam electron diffraction. Across 40 emitters, we observe zero phonon lines (ZPLs) in PL and CL ranging from 540 to 720 nm. CL mapping reveals that multiple defects and distinct defect species located within an optically diffraction-limited region can each contribute to the observed PL spectra. Local strain maps indicate that strain is not required to activate the emitters and is not solely responsible for the observed ZPL spectral range. Instead, at least four distinct defect classes are responsible for the observed emission range, and all four classes are stable upon both optical and electron illumination. Our results provide a foundation for future atomic-scale optical characterization of colour centres.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/146544