arXiv subjects

Michael J. Ford

Publications and source records attributed to Michael J. Ford.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Defect states in hexagonal boron nitride: Assignments of observed properties and prediction of properties relevant to quantum computation

Key properties of nine possible defect sites in hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) are predicted using density-functional theory and are corrected by applying results from high-level ab initio calculations. Observed h-BN electron-paramagnetic resonance signals at 22.4, 20.83, and 352.70 MHz are assigned to VN, CN, and VNO2B, respectively, while the observed photoemission at 1.95 eV is assigned to VNCB. Detailed consideration of the available excited states, allowed spin-orbit couplings, zero-field splitting, and optical transitions are made for the two related defects VNCB and VBCN. VNCB is proposed for realizing long-lived quantum memory in h-BN. VBCN is predicted to have a triplet ground state, implying that spin initialization by optical means is feasible and suitable optical excitations are identified, making this defect of interest for possible quantum-qubit operations.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2017

First principles investigation of quantum emission from hBN defects

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has recently emerged as a fascinating platform for room-temperature quantum photonics due to the discovery of robust visible light single-photon emitters. In order to utilize these emitters, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of their atomic structure and the associated excitation processes that give rise to this single photon emission. Here we perform density-functional theory (DFT) and constrained DFT calculations for a range of hBN point defects in order to identify potential emission candidates. By applying a number of criteria on the electronic structure of the ground state and the atomic structure of the excited states of the considered defects, and then calculating the Huang-Rhys (HR) factor, we find that the CBVN defect, in which a carbon atom substitutes a boron atom and the opposite nitrogen atom is removed, is a potential emission source with a HR factor of 1.66, in good agreement with the experimental HR factor. We calculate the photoluminescence (PL) line shape for this defect and find that it reproduces a number of key features in the the experimental PL lineshape.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Robust Solid State Quantum System Operating at 800 K

Realization of Quantum information and communications technologies requires robust, stable solid state single photon sources. However, most existing sources cease to function above cryogenic or room temperature due to thermal ionization or strong phonon coupling which impede their emissive and quantum properties. Here we present an efficient single photon source based on a defect in a van der Waals crystal that is optically stable and operates at elevated temperatures of up to 800 K. The quantum nature of the source and the photon purity are maintained upon heating to 800 K and cooling back to room temperature. Our report of a robust high temperature solid state single photon source constitutes a significant step to-wards practical, integrated quantum technologies for real-world environments.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Tunable and high purity room-temperature single photon emission from atomic defects in hexagonal boron nitride

Two-dimensional van der Waals materials have emerged as promising platforms for solid-state quantum information processing devices with unusual potential for heterogeneous assembly. Recently, bright and photostable single photon emitters were reported from atomic defects in layered hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), but controlling inhomogeneous spectral distribution and reducing multi-photon emission presented open challenges. Here, we demonstrate that strain control allows spectral tunability of hBN single photon emitters over 6 meV, and material processing sharply improves the single-photon purity. We report high single photon count rates exceeding 10^7 counts/sec at saturation, which is the highest single photon detection rate for room-temperature single photon emitters, to our knowledge. Furthermore, these emitters are stable to material transfer to other substrates. High-purity and photostable single photon emission at room temperature, together with spectral tunability and transferability, opens the door to scalable integration of high-quality quantum emitters in photonic quantum technologies.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Robust multicolor single photon emission from point defects in hexagonal boron nitride

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is an emerging two dimensional material for quantum photonics owing to its large bandgap and hyperbolic properties. Here we report a broad range of multicolor room temperature single photon emissions across the visible and the near infrared spectral ranges from point defects in hBN multilayers. We show that the emitters can be categorized into two general groups, but most likely possess similar crystallographic structure. We further show two approaches for engineering of the emitters using either electron beam irradiation or annealing, and characterize their photophysical properties. The emitters exhibit narrow line widths of sub 10 nm at room temperature, and a short excited state lifetime with high brightness. Remarkably, the emitters are extremely robust and withstand aggressive annealing treatments in oxidizing and reducing environments. Our results constitute the first step towards deterministic engineering of single emitters in 2D materials and hold great promise for the use of defects in boron nitride as sources for quantum information processing and nanophotonics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Quantum Emission From Hexagonal Boron Nitride Monolayers

Atomically thin van der Waals crystals have recently enabled new scientific and technological breakthroughs across a variety of disciplines in materials science, nanophotonics and physics. However, non-classical photon emission from these materials has not been achieved to date. Here we report room temperature quantum emission from hexagonal boron nitride nanoflakes. The single photon emitter exhibits a combination of superb quantum optical properties at room temperature that include the highest brightness reported in the visible part of the spectrum, narrow line width, absolute photo-stability, a short excited state lifetime and a high quantum efficiency. Density functional theory modeling suggests that the emitter is the antisite nitrogen vacancy defect that is present in single and multi-layer hexagonal boron nitride. Our results constitute the unprecedented potential of van der Waals crystals for nanophotonics, optoelectronics and quantum information processing.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2009

Designing materials for plasmonic systems

We use electronic structure calculations based upon density functional theory to search for ideal plasmonic materials among the alkali noble intermetallics. Importantly, we use density functional perturbation theory to calculate the electron-phonon interaction and from there use a first order solution to the Boltzmann equation to estimate the phenomenological damping frequency in the Drude dielectric function. We discuss the necessary electronic features of a plasmonic material and investigate the optical properties of the alkali-noble intermetallics in terms of some generic plasmonic system quality factors. We conclude that at low negative permittivities, KAu with a damping frequency of 0.0224 eV and a high optical gap to bare plasma frequency ratio, outperforms gold and to some extent silver as a plasmonic material. Unfortunately, a low plasma frequency (1.54 eV) reduces its utility in modern plasmonics applications. We also discuss, briefly, the effect of local fields on the optical properties of these materials.

physics.optics↗