Single defect center scanning near-field optical microscopy on graphene

Area of Science:

• Quantum Science and Technology
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Scanning probe microscopy is crucial for nanoscale characterization.
• Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds offer unique quantum properties as atomic-scale emitters.
• Understanding near-field interactions is key for developing advanced optical and quantum devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel scanning-probe microscope utilizing a single NV center emitter.
• To quantitatively map near-field coupling between an NV center and graphene in 3D at nanoscale resolution.
• To demonstrate universal energy transfer scaling laws for atomic emitters and 2D materials.

Main Methods:

• Development of a scanning-probe microscope equipped with a single NV center in a nanodiamond as the probe.
• 3D nanoscale mapping of near-field coupling using the NV center's quantum properties.
• Experimental investigation of energy transfer dynamics between the NV center and a graphene flake.

Main Results:

• Successful quantitative 3D mapping of near-field coupling between the NV center and graphene with nanoscale precision.
• Demonstration of universal energy transfer distance scaling between a point-like atomic emitter and a 2D acceptor.
• Validation of the NV center as a versatile probe for nanoscale optical field interactions.

Conclusions:

• The developed single NV center scanning-probe microscope is a powerful tool for nanoscale imaging and quantum measurements.
• The findings provide fundamental insights into light-matter interactions at the nanoscale, particularly concerning 2D materials.
• This work opens avenues for imaging and manipulating light fields in nanophotonic structures and single molecules.