Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 25, 2025
11:24
Optimized Fabrication Procedure for High-Quality Graphene-based Moiré Superlattice Devices
Published on: July 11, 2025
8.8K
Quantum Emitter Localization in Layer-Engineered Hexagonal Boron Nitride
James Callum Stewart1, Ye Fan1, John S H Danial2
1Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, 9 JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0FA, United Kingdom.
ACS Nano
|August 4, 2021
Summary
Researchers precisely located quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) across all three dimensions. This breakthrough enables scalable, 2D quantum device fabrication for advanced photonic circuits.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics and photonics
- Materials science and engineering
- Solid-state physics
Background:
- Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a key 2D material for solid-state quantum emitters.
- Deterministic, scalable localization of emitters in 3D remains a significant challenge.
- Maintaining hBN's 2D properties during emitter localization is crucial for device performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate 3D emitter localization in hBN using monolayer engineering.
- To develop methods for controlling and preserving quantum emitter properties.
- To enable scalable fabrication of addressable quantum emitter arrays.
Main Methods:
- Engineered hBN monolayers (MLs) with pre-treatment processes to control emission.
- Utilized differently treated MLs for atomic-layer vertical (z) emitter localization.
- Employed a patterned graphene mask for lateral (x-y) emitter localization via fluorescence quenching.
- Protected ML hBN emitters by sandwiching them between additional hBN MLs to suppress bleaching.
Main Results:
- Achieved deterministic 3D localization of quantum emitters in hBN.
- Demonstrated vertical localization at the atomic layer level.
- Successfully suppressed emitter bleaching in thin hBN stacks.
- Showcased lateral localization using a graphene mask, enabling site-specific control.
Conclusions:
- Monolayer engineering provides a versatile platform for 3D emitter localization in hBN.
- This approach is compatible with scalable, planar processing for quantum device fabrication.
- Enables tailored designs for addressable emitter arrays, monolithic integration, and photonic circuits.
Related Concept Videos
02:33Lattice Centering and Coordination Number
10.4K
The structure of a crystalline solid, whether a metal or not, is best described by considering its simplest repeating unit, which is referred to as its unit cell. The unit cell consists of lattice points that represent the locations of atoms or ions. The entire structure then consists of this unit cell repeating in three dimensions. The three different types of unit cells present in the cubic lattice are illustrated in Figure 1.
Types of Unit Cells
Imagine taking a large number of identical...
Types of Unit Cells
Imagine taking a large number of identical...
10.4K
03:24Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I
53.7K
The mathematical expression known as the wave function, ψ, contains information about each orbital and the wavelike properties of electrons in an isolated atom. When atoms are bound together in a molecule, the wave functions combine to produce new mathematical descriptions that have different shapes. This process of combining the wave functions for atomic orbitals is called hybridization and is mathematically accomplished by the linear combination of atomic orbitals. The new orbitals that...
53.7K