High-Resolution Cryogenic Spectroscopy of Single Molecules in Nanoprinted Crystals.

Area of Science:

• Physical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Single-molecule spectroscopy requires high-resolution optical transitions.
• Organic nanocrystals offer potential for quantum applications.
• Electrohydrodynamic dripping is a method for fabricating nano- and microstructures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the optical properties of single dibenzoterrylene (DBT) molecules doped in electrohydrodynamically printed anthracene nanocrystals.
• To assess the quality of optical transitions in these nanocrystals compared to bulk materials.
• To determine the dimensions and orientation of the printed nanocrystals.

Main Methods:

• Laser spectroscopy at liquid helium temperatures (2 K).
• High-resolution fluorescence excitation spectroscopy.
• Super-resolution imaging of single DBT molecules.
• Polarization-dependent optical measurements.

Main Results:

• Single DBT molecules in printed anthracene nanocrystals exhibit nearly Fourier-limited narrow zero-phonon lines.
• Spectral instabilities are minimal, comparable to or less than one line width.
• Nanocrystal dimensions and crystal axis orientations were determined using super-resolution imaging and polarization-resolved spectroscopy.

Conclusions:

• Electrohydrodynamic printing enables the fabrication of organic nanocrystals with excellent optical properties.
• These nanocrystals are promising for applications requiring precisely positioned quantum emitters.
• The study demonstrates the feasibility of using this printing technique for advanced optical device fabrication.