arXiv subjects

S. K. Clowes

Publications and source records attributed to S. K. Clowes.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Efficient formation and identification of single emitters in 4H-SiC following maskless heavy ion implantation

Single photon emitters in silicon carbide (SiC) are a leading platform for scalable quantum technologies. Recent interest has focused on oxygen-vacancy-related emitters, which show exceptionally high optical brightness and strong spin readout contrast. One barrier to scalable quantum devices based on these emitters is the challenge of maskless formation and rapid identification. Here, we demonstrate the formation of isolated bright single emitters in 4H-SiC, using low-energy maskless implantation of heavy ions bismuth and tin. Following annealing, up to 18% of implanted sites host a single emitter, with optimal yields achieved at annealing temperatures of 900-1000 degrees C. Occupancy statistics are modelled to estimate the implantation dose that maximises single-emitter yield. We introduce a tiered characterisation scheme, where a simple intensity threshold isolates single-emitter candidates, confirmed through photon correlation measurements, after which correlations between polarisation, saturation count rate and magnetic resonance frequency assign emitter type. It is shown that time-consuming low-temperature spectroscopy is not necessary to distinguish emitter types. Together, maskless heavy-ion implantation and selective screening offer an efficient route to forming and rapidly identifying near-surface single emitters for room-temperature quantum technologies such as quantum sensing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Quantifying the Full Damage Profile of Focused Ion Beams via 4D-STEM Precession Electron Diffraction and PSNR Metrics

Focused ion beams (FIBs) are widely used in nanofabrication for applications such as circuit repair, ultra-thin lamella preparation, strain engineering, and quantum device prototyping. Although the lateral spread of the ion beam is often overlooked, it becomes critical in precision tasks such as impurity placement in host substrates, where accurate knowledge of the ion-matter interaction profile is essential. Existing techniques typically characterise only the beam core, where most ions land, thus underestimating the full extent of the point spread function (PSF). In this work, we use four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) to resolve the ion beam tail at defect densities equivalent to $<$0.1 ions nm$^{-2}$. Convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) patterns were collected in calibration regions with known ion fluence and compared to patterns acquired around static dwell spots exposed to a 30 keV Ga$^{+}$ beam for 1-10 s. Cross-correlation using peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) revealed that 4D-STEM datasets are ultra-sensitive for defect quantification and more robust against scanning artefacts than conventional dark-field imaging. This approach is complementary to image resolution methods enabling a comprehensive profiling of ion-induced damage even at low-dose regimes, offering a more accurate representation of FIB performance and supporting application tailoring beyond the conventional resolution metrics focused solely on the beam core.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Absolute measurement of the exchange interaction in an InSb quantum well using Landau-level tunnelling spectroscopy

We studied InSb quantum well devices using Landau level tunneling spectroscopy through a three-terminal differential conductance technique. This method is similar to filled state scanning tunneling microscopy but uses a stationary contact instead of a mobile tip to analyze the two-dimensional electron system. Applying magnetic fields up to 15 T, we identified clear peaks in the differential current-voltage profiles, indicative of Landau level formation. By examining deviations from the expected Landau fan diagram, we extract an absolute value for the exchange-induced energy shift. Through an empirical analysis, we derive a formula describing the exchange shift as a function of both magnetic field strength and electron filling. Our findings indicate that the emptying of the $ν=2$ and $ν=3$ Landau levels causes an exchange interaction energy shift in the $ν=1$ level. Unlike prior studies that infer level energies relative to one another and report oscillatory g-factor behavior, our method references the energy of the Landau levels above the filled states of the contact under a bias voltage, revealing that only the ground state Landau level experiences a measurable exchange shift.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Cyclotron-resonance-assisted photon drag effect in InSb/InAlSb quantum wells excited by terahertz radiation

We report on the observation of the cyclotron-resonance-assisted photon drag effect. Resonant photocurrent is detected in InSb/InAlSb quantum wells structures subjected to a static magnetic field and excited by terahertz radiation at oblique incidence. The developed theory based on Boltzmann's kinetic equation is in a good agreement with the experimental findings. We show that the resonant photocurrent originates from the transfer of photon momentum to free electrons drastically enhanced at cyclotron resonance.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Interplay of spin and orbital magnetogyrotropic photogalvanic effects in InSb/AlInSb quantum well structures

We report on the observation of linear and circular magnetogyrotropic photogalvanic effects in InSb/AlInSb quantum well structures. We show that intraband (Drude-like) absorption of terahertz radiation in the heterostructures causes a dc electric current in the presence of an in-plane magnetic field. The photocurrent behavior upon variation of the magnetic field strength, temperature and wavelength is studied. We show that at moderate magnetic fields the photocurrent exhibits a typical linear field dependence. At high magnetic fields, however, it becomes nonlinear and inverses its sign. The experimental results are analyzed in terms of the microscopic models based on asymmetric relaxation of carriers in the momentum space. We demonstrate that the observed nonlinearity of the photocurrent is caused by the large Zeeman spin splitting in InSb/AlInSb structures and an interplay of the spin-related and spin-independent roots of the magnetogyrotropic photogalvanic effect.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗