Scientific Achievement
Foundry staff and users developed a way to generate single, identical photons on demand using an electrical trigger and visualize the emission with atomic resolution.
Significance and Impact
This is the first time single-photon light sources in 2D materials have been studied with atomic precision, providing insight how to engineer single photon sources in 2-D materials. It defines a pathway to create groups of identical emitters, a milestone for next generation color centers enabling quantum networks and simulations.
Research Details
- Individual S vacancies were introduced into 2-D tungsten disulfide via Ultra High Vacuum annealing.
- LT Photo STM was used to directly correlate the local atomic and electronic structure of S vacancies and stimulate luminescence of individual photons via inelastic tunnel electrons.
- Atomic resolution photon maps and simulations provide novel insight into defect emission.
