Decoherence of Quantum Emitters in hexagonal Boron Nitride

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Horder, Jake, Scognamiglio, Dominic, Coste, Nathan, Gale, Angus, Watanabe, Kenji, Taniguchi, Takashi, Kianinia, Mehran, Toth, Milos, Aharonovich, Igor
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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_version_ 1866929554081185792
author Horder, Jake
Scognamiglio, Dominic
Coste, Nathan
Gale, Angus
Watanabe, Kenji
Taniguchi, Takashi
Kianinia, Mehran
Toth, Milos
Aharonovich, Igor
author_facet Horder, Jake
Scognamiglio, Dominic
Coste, Nathan
Gale, Angus
Watanabe, Kenji
Taniguchi, Takashi
Kianinia, Mehran
Toth, Milos
Aharonovich, Igor
contents Coherent quantum emitters are a central resource for advanced quantum technologies. Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) hosts a range of quantum emitters that can be engineered using techniques such as high-temperature annealing, optical doping, and irradiation with electrons or ions. Here, we demonstrate that such processes can degrade the coherence, and hence the functionality, of quantum emitters in hBN. Specifically, we show that hBN annealing and doping methods that are used routinely in hBN nanofabrication protocols give rise to decoherence of B-center quantum emitters. The decoherence is characterized in detail, and attributed to defects that act as charge traps which fluctuate electrostatically during SPE excitation and induce spectral diffusion. The decoherence is minimal when the emitters are engineered by electron beam irradiation of as-grown, pristine flakes of hBN, where B-center linewidths approach the lifetime limit needed for quantum applications involving interference and entanglement. Our work highlights the critical importance of crystal lattice quality to achieving coherent quantum emitters in hBN, despite the common perception that the hBN lattice and hBN SPEs are highly-stable and resilient against chemical and thermal degradation. It underscores the need for nanofabrication techniques that are minimally invasive and avoid crystal damage when engineering hBN SPEs and devices for quantum-coherent technologies.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2410_16681
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Decoherence of Quantum Emitters in hexagonal Boron Nitride
Horder, Jake
Scognamiglio, Dominic
Coste, Nathan
Gale, Angus
Watanabe, Kenji
Taniguchi, Takashi
Kianinia, Mehran
Toth, Milos
Aharonovich, Igor
Quantum Physics
Applied Physics
Coherent quantum emitters are a central resource for advanced quantum technologies. Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) hosts a range of quantum emitters that can be engineered using techniques such as high-temperature annealing, optical doping, and irradiation with electrons or ions. Here, we demonstrate that such processes can degrade the coherence, and hence the functionality, of quantum emitters in hBN. Specifically, we show that hBN annealing and doping methods that are used routinely in hBN nanofabrication protocols give rise to decoherence of B-center quantum emitters. The decoherence is characterized in detail, and attributed to defects that act as charge traps which fluctuate electrostatically during SPE excitation and induce spectral diffusion. The decoherence is minimal when the emitters are engineered by electron beam irradiation of as-grown, pristine flakes of hBN, where B-center linewidths approach the lifetime limit needed for quantum applications involving interference and entanglement. Our work highlights the critical importance of crystal lattice quality to achieving coherent quantum emitters in hBN, despite the common perception that the hBN lattice and hBN SPEs are highly-stable and resilient against chemical and thermal degradation. It underscores the need for nanofabrication techniques that are minimally invasive and avoid crystal damage when engineering hBN SPEs and devices for quantum-coherent technologies.
title Decoherence of Quantum Emitters in hexagonal Boron Nitride
topic Quantum Physics
Applied Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.16681