Dynamic Tuning of Single-Photon Emission in Monolayer WSe₂ via Localized Strain Engineering

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Two-dimensional (2D) materials are promising for single-photon emitters (SPEs).
• Variability in emission energies hinders practical quantum applications requiring identical single photons.
• Current methods for tuning and matching 2D SPEs are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate precise, on-demand emission energy tuning of individual SPEs in a WSe2 monolayer.
• To address the challenge of spectral variability in 2D materials for quantum technologies.
• To showcase the practical alignment of multiple SPEs.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing localized strain fields near individual SPEs in a WSe2 monolayer.
• Controlling strain by adjusting the volume of a stressor layer via laser annealing.
• Characterizing SPE properties and emission energy shifts.

Main Results:

• Achieved continuous emission energy tuning of individual SPEs up to 15 meV.
• Maintained the high quality of SPEs during the tuning process.
• Demonstrated precise spectral alignment of three distinct SPEs in a single WSe2 monolayer to the same wavelength.

Conclusions:

• Localized strain, controlled by laser-annealed stressors, offers a practical method for precise emission energy tuning of 2D SPEs.
• This technique facilitates the spectral matching of multiple SPEs, crucial for integrated quantum photonic circuits.
• The approach overcomes key limitations in utilizing 2D materials for scalable quantum applications.