Near-field optical microscopy with a nanodiamond-based single-photon tip

Area of Science:

• Quantum Optics
• Nanoscience
• Materials Science

Background:

• Single-photon sources are crucial for quantum technologies.
• Existing sources often suffer from photobleaching and blinking, limiting their long-term use.
• Room-temperature operation is highly desirable for practical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel point-like scanning single-photon source.
• To achieve exceptional photostability (no blinking, no bleaching) at room temperature.
• To demonstrate its application in near-field scanning single-photon microscopy.

Main Methods:

• Grafting a diamond nanocrystal (approx. 20 nm) with a single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color center onto an optical probe apex.
• Utilizing the NV center as a stable quantum emitter.
• Employing near-field scanning techniques for high-resolution imaging.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a highly photostable single-photon source operating at room temperature.
• Achieved successful imaging of metallic nanostructures in the near-field.
• Established a robust room-temperature near-field scanning single-photon microscopy technique.

Conclusions:

• The developed single-photon source offers long-term, stable quantum emission at room temperature.
• This technology enables advanced near-field imaging of nanostructures.
• The work has significant implications for quantum plasmonics and other nanoscience fields requiring precise quantum emitter positioning.