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Optically addressable spin defects coupled to bound states in the continuum metasurfaces
Luca Sortino1, Angus Gale2, Lucca Kühner1
1Chair in Hybrid Nanosystems, Nanoinstitute Munich, Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80539, Munich, Germany.
Nature Communications
|March 5, 2024
Summary
Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) metasurfaces with quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBICs) significantly enhance light emission from spin defects. This boosts photoluminescence intensity and improves spin-readout efficiency for quantum applications.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Van der Waals (vdW) materials like hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) are crucial for nanoscale light-matter interactions.
- Optically addressable spin defects in hBN offer potential for quantum technologies but suffer from low quantum efficiency and broad emission.
- Optical metasurfaces provide precise control over light-matter coupling to enhance emission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To integrate intrinsic spin defects in hBN with high-quality factor resonances using quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBICs).
- To enhance photoluminescence intensity, narrow the emission spectrum, and improve spin-readout efficiency of hBN spin defects.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of monolithic, scalable hBN metasurfaces.
- Utilizing quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBICs) to achieve high quality (Q) factor resonances (>102).
- Coupling ensembles of intrinsic spin defects in hBN with qBIC resonances.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 25-fold increase in photoluminescence intensity.
- Narrowed the emission spectrum to below 4 nm linewidth.
- Demonstrated increased narrowband spin-readout efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Developed a new class of hBN metasurfaces for enhanced spin-defect-based quantum technologies.
- Showcased the potential of vdW-based nanophotonic devices for improved efficiency and sensitivity.
- Paved the way for advanced quantum applications in imaging, sensing, and light emission.
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