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Sharp zero-phonon lines of single organic molecules on a hexagonal boron-nitride surface
Robert Smit1, Arash Tebyani1, Jil Hameury1
1Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, LION, Postbus 9504, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Nature Communications
|December 2, 2023
Summary
Single terrylene molecules on hexagonal boron-nitride (hBN) surfaces exhibit observable zero-phonon lines (ZPLs). Annealing hBN flakes significantly improves spectral stability for these surface-adsorbed fluorescent molecules.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Single fluorescent molecules are sensitive probes of nano-environment dynamics due to narrow optical linewidths of the zero-phonon line (ZPL) at cryogenic temperatures.
- However, ZPLs broaden significantly near surfaces, and have not been detected for molecules directly on surfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the possibility of observing the 0-0 ZPL of single terrylene molecules adsorbed on hexagonal boron-nitride (hBN) surfaces.
- To compare the spectral stability of terrylene molecules on annealed versus non-annealed hBN substrates.
Main Methods:
- Low-temperature optical spectroscopy of single terrylene molecules.
- Adsorption of terrylene molecules onto hexagonal boron-nitride (hBN) flakes.
- Comparison of spectral properties on annealed and non-annealed hBN surfaces.
Main Results:
- Observation of the 0-0 ZPL for single terrylene molecules directly on hBN surfaces.
- Marked improvement in spectral stability for terrylene molecules on annealed hBN flakes compared to non-annealed flakes.
Conclusions:
- It is possible to observe the 0-0 ZPL of fluorescent molecules on a surface, specifically terrylene on hBN.
- Annealing of hBN substrates enhances the spectral stability of surface-adsorbed single-molecule emitters.
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