arXiv subjects

Pratibha Dev

Publications and source records attributed to Pratibha Dev.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Fingerprinting quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride using strain

Two dimensional van der Waals crystals and their heterostructures provide an exciting alternative to bulk wide bandgap semiconductors as hosts of single photon emitters. Amongst different layered materials, bright and robust defect-based single photon emitters have been observed within hexagonal boron nitride, a layered wide-bandgap semiconductor. Despite research efforts to date, the identities of the deep defects responsible for quantum emissions in hexagonal boron nitride remain unknown. In this theoretical work, I demonstrate that the strain-induced changes in emission frequencies depend on: (i) the detailed nature of the defect states involved in the optical excitations, and (ii) the rich boron chemistry that results in complex interactions between boron atoms. As each defect shows a distinct response to the strain, it can be used not only to tune emission frequencies, but also to identify the quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Controlling the Infrared Dielectric Function through Atomic-Scale Heterostructures

Surface phonon polaritons (SPhPs) - the surface-bound electromagnetic modes of a polar material resulting from the coupling of light with optic phonons - offer immense technological opportunities for nanophotonics in the infrared (IR) spectral region. Here, we present a novel approach to overcome the major limitation of SPhPs, namely the narrow, material-specific spectral range where SPhPs can be supported, called the Reststrahlen band. We use an atomic-scale superlattice (SL) of two polar semiconductors, GaN and AlN, to create a hybrid material featuring layer thickness-tunable optic phonon modes. As the IR dielectric function is governed by the optic phonon behavior, such control provides a means to create a new dielectric function distinct from either constituent material and to tune the range over which SPhPs can be supported. This work offers the first glimpse of the guiding principles governing the degree to which the dielectric function can be designed using this approach.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Spin-photon entanglement interfaces in silicon carbide defect centers

Optically active spins in solid-state systems can be engineered to emit photons that are entangled with the spin in the solid. This allows for applications such as quantum communications, quantum key distribution, and distributed quantum computing. Recently, there has been a strong interest in silicon carbide defects, as they emit very close to the telecommunication wavelength, making them excellent candidates for long range quantum communications. In this work we develop explicit schemes for spin-photon entanglement in several SiC defects: the silicon monovacancy, the silicon divacancy, and the NV center in SiC. Distinct approaches are given for (i) single-photon and spin entanglement and (ii) the generation of long strings of entangled photons. The latter are known as cluster states and comprise a resource for measurement-based quantum information processing.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Silicon vacancy center in 4H-SiC: Electronic structure and spin-photon interfaces

Defects in silicon carbide are of intense and increasing interest for quantum-based applications due to this material's properties and technological maturity. We calculate the multi-particle symmetry adapted wave functions of the negatively charged silicon vacancy defect in hexagonal silicon carbide via use of group theory and density functional theory and find the effects of spin-orbit and spin-spin interactions on these states. Although we focused on $\textrm{V}_{\textrm{Si}}^-$ in 4H-SiC, because of its unique fine structure due to odd number of active electrons, our methods can be easily applied to other defect centers of different polytpes, especially to the 6H-SiC. Based on these results we identify the mechanism that polarizes the spin under optical drive, obtain the ordering of its dark doublet states, point out a path for electric field or strain sensing, and find the theoretical value of its ground-state zero field splitting to be 68 MHz, in good agreement with experiment. Moreover, we present two distinct protocols of a spin-photon interface based on this defect. Our results pave the way toward novel quantum information and quantum metrology applications with silicon carbide.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Spin Coherence and Echo Modulation of the Silicon Vacancy in 4H-SiC at Room Temperature

The silicon vacancy in silicon carbide is a strong emergent candidate for applications in quantum information processing and sensing. We perform room temperature optically-detected magnetic resonance and spin echo measurements on an ensemble of vacancies and find the properties depend strongly on magnetic field. The spin echo decay time varies from less than 10 $μ$s at low fields to 80 $μ$s at 68 mT, and a strong field-dependent spin echo modulation is also observed. The modulation is attributed to the interaction with nuclear spins and is well-described by a theoretical model.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Prediction Of A Multi-Center Bonded Solid Boron Hydride for Hydrogen Storage

An ideal material for on-board hydrogen storage must release hydrogen at practical temperature and pressure and also regenerate efficiently under similarly gentle conditions. Therefore, thermodynamically, the hydride material must lie within a narrow range near the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation phase boundary. Materials involving only conventional bonding mechanisms are unlikely to meet these requirements. In contrast, materials containing certain frustrated bonding are designed to be on the verge of frustration-induced phase transition, and they may be better suited for hydrogen storage. Here we propose a novel layered solid boron hydride and show its potential for hydrogen storage. The absence of soft phonon modes confirms the dynamical stability of the structure. Charging the structure significantly softens hydrogen-related phonon modes. Boron-related phonons, in contrast, are either hardened or not significantly affected by electron doping. These results suggest that electrochemical charging may facilitate hydrogen release while the underlying boron network remains intact for subsequent rehydrogenation.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗