Quantifying Spin Defect Density in hBN via Raman and Photoluminescence Analysis

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Patra, Atanu, Konrad, Paul, Sperlich, Andreas, Biktagirov, Timur, Schmidt, Wolf Gero, Spencer, Lesley, Aharonovich, Igor, Höfling, Sven, Dyakonov, Vladimir
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Patra, Atanu
Konrad, Paul
Sperlich, Andreas
Biktagirov, Timur
Schmidt, Wolf Gero
Spencer, Lesley
Aharonovich, Igor
Höfling, Sven
Dyakonov, Vladimir
author_facet Patra, Atanu
Konrad, Paul
Sperlich, Andreas
Biktagirov, Timur
Schmidt, Wolf Gero
Spencer, Lesley
Aharonovich, Igor
Höfling, Sven
Dyakonov, Vladimir
contents Negatively charged boron vacancies ($\mathrm{V_B^-}$) in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) are emerging as promising solid-state spin qubits due to their optical accessibility, structural simplicity, and compatibility with photonic platforms. However, quantifying the density of such defects in thin hBN flakes has remained elusive, limiting progress in device integration and reproducibility. Here, we present an all-optical method to quantify $\mathrm{V_B^-}$ defect density in hBN by correlating Raman and photoluminescence (PL) signatures with irradiation fluence. We identify two defect-induced Raman modes, D1 and D2, and assign them to vibrational modes of $\mathrm{V_B^-}$ using polarization-resolved Raman measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. By adapting a numerical model originally developed for graphene, we establish an empirical relationship linking Raman (D1, $E_\mathrm{2g}$) and PL intensities to absolute defect densities. This method is universally applicable across various irradiation types and uniquely suited for thin flakes, where conventional techniques fail. Our approach enables accurate, direct, and non-destructive quantification of spin defect densities down to $10^{15}$ defects/ cm${}^3$, offering a powerful tool for optimizing and benchmarking hBN for quantum optical applications.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2506_19803
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Quantifying Spin Defect Density in hBN via Raman and Photoluminescence Analysis
Patra, Atanu
Konrad, Paul
Sperlich, Andreas
Biktagirov, Timur
Schmidt, Wolf Gero
Spencer, Lesley
Aharonovich, Igor
Höfling, Sven
Dyakonov, Vladimir
Quantum Physics
Negatively charged boron vacancies ($\mathrm{V_B^-}$) in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) are emerging as promising solid-state spin qubits due to their optical accessibility, structural simplicity, and compatibility with photonic platforms. However, quantifying the density of such defects in thin hBN flakes has remained elusive, limiting progress in device integration and reproducibility. Here, we present an all-optical method to quantify $\mathrm{V_B^-}$ defect density in hBN by correlating Raman and photoluminescence (PL) signatures with irradiation fluence. We identify two defect-induced Raman modes, D1 and D2, and assign them to vibrational modes of $\mathrm{V_B^-}$ using polarization-resolved Raman measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. By adapting a numerical model originally developed for graphene, we establish an empirical relationship linking Raman (D1, $E_\mathrm{2g}$) and PL intensities to absolute defect densities. This method is universally applicable across various irradiation types and uniquely suited for thin flakes, where conventional techniques fail. Our approach enables accurate, direct, and non-destructive quantification of spin defect densities down to $10^{15}$ defects/ cm${}^3$, offering a powerful tool for optimizing and benchmarking hBN for quantum optical applications.
title Quantifying Spin Defect Density in hBN via Raman and Photoluminescence Analysis
topic Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.19803