Abstract
The generation of non-classical light states in the near-infrared (NIR) is important for a number of photonic quantum technologies. Here, we report the first experimental observation of sub-Poissonian NIR (1.24 eV) light emission from defects in a 2D hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) sheet at room temperature. Photoluminescence statistics shows g(2)(0) = 0.6, which is a signature of the quantum nature of the emission. Density functional-theory calculations, at the level of the generalized gradient approximation, for the negatively charged nitrogen anti-site lattice defects are consistent with the observed emission energy. This work demonstrates that the defects in hBN could be a promising platform for single-photon generation in the NIR.
Highlights
It is well-known that coherent light is the most stable classical light achievable, which exhibits a Poissonian statistical distribution
A representative confocal scan of a 50 × 50 μm2 sample area is shown in Fig. 2(a), where a number of emitters are visible with light collected at wavelengths above 850 nm
Using the lifetime and background parameters obtained from fitting Eq (1), we obtain excellent agreement with the experimentally measured coincidences [see Fig. 3(a)], where the observed decay lifetime parameter τ1.24 eV = 3.2 ns falls well within the range of previously observed decays from other lattice defect emitters in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN).23,32
Summary
It is well-known that coherent light is the most stable classical light achievable, which exhibits a Poissonian statistical distribution. A perfectly regular light source, where no more than one photon is emitted at any given time, is known as a singlephoton source (SPS) and represents an essential building block for a variety of quantum technologies, including quantum computation schemes, boson sampling, precision metrology, as well as secure communication applications, such as quantum key distribution.. An ideal SPS would provide high-brightness, high-purity, indistinguishable photons at room temperature while being integrable and reliable to fabricate.. Gallium and indium based quantum dots can currently provide high-brightness single-photon emission (SPE) in the NIR with unrivalled purity among other SPSs and indistinguishability, but require cumbersome cooling equipment to operate at cryogenic temperatures.. Localized defects in gallium nitride and color-centers in single-walled carbon nanotubes were shown to emit single photons across the visible and NIR spectrum, with recent results including electrically driven light emission and room temperature SPE in the NIR.. Gallium and indium based quantum dots can currently provide high-brightness single-photon emission (SPE) in the NIR with unrivalled purity among other SPSs and indistinguishability, but require cumbersome cooling equipment to operate at cryogenic temperatures. Localized defects in gallium nitride and color-centers in single-walled carbon nanotubes were shown to emit single photons across the visible and NIR spectrum, with recent results including electrically driven light emission and room temperature SPE in the NIR. spectral purity is poor and fabrication remains challenging.
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