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Lattice Centering and Coordination Number02:33

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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.
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Color in Coordination Complexes
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
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Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...
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Tuning colour centres at a twisted hexagonal boron nitride interface.

Cong Su1,2,3, Fang Zhang1,2,4,5, Salman Kahn1,2

  • 1Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.

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Researchers controlled color center emission in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) by twisting layers. This method enhances brightness and allows nanoscale patterning for quantum technologies.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Quantum Technologies
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

  • Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a promising material for quantum technologies due to its bright, stable, and optically addressable color centers.
  • Current applications are limited by random defect distribution and complex environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate on-demand activation and control of color center emission in hBN.
  • To enhance color center emission brightness and explore voltage-controlled modulation.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanism of emission enhancement and control.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized cathodoluminescence spectroscopy to observe and control color center emission.
  • Engineered twisted interfaces between hexagonal boron nitride flakes.
  • Performed ab initio GW and GW plus Bethe-Salpeter equation calculations.
  • Employed electron beam lithography for nanoscale patterning.

Main Results:

  • Achieved on-demand activation and control of color center emission at twisted hBN interfaces.
  • Enhanced emission brightness by two orders of magnitude through twist angle tuning.
  • Demonstrated nearly 100% brightness modulation using an external voltage.
  • Identified nitrogen vacancies and twist-induced moiré potential as key factors in electron-hole recombination.

Conclusions:

  • Twisted hBN interfaces provide a platform for controlled activation and enhancement of color center emission.
  • The observed phenomena are linked to nitrogen vacancies and moiré potentials, offering a mechanism for quantum applications.
  • Electron beam-induced patterning enables the creation of nanoscale color center arrays for advanced quantum devices.