Exfoliation of WSe2 for Generation of Quantum Light Sources

The future of optical quantum technologies relies upon the creation of high-quality, scalable arrays of single photon sources (also called quantum light sources). In recent years, single photon sources have attracted great attention due to their role as essential components in numerous quantum technologies. Specifically, two-dimensional materials, such as hexagonal Boron Nitride (h-BN) have gained significant interest due to their appealing properties, such as high scalability, capability to seamlessly incorporate into various electronic systems, and efficient operation at non-cryogenic temperatures. Generally, 2-dimensional materials are a new and exciting class of materials that host these quantum light sources.

In our lab, we use many different techniques to create quantum light sources in these materials at very particular locations -- this is called site-specific engineering of quantum emitters. Once these emitters have been created, we can tailor them for use in optical circuits.

In this project, you will learn the physics behind creating these emitters and you will learn how to use microscopy and exfoliation (a way to create thin materials) techniques to create thin layers of these materials that are only several atoms thick! You will learn how to analyze microscopy images to determine the thickness of materials, and you will create and identify quantum defects in h-BN that act as single photon emitters. To accomplish this, you will activate quantum defects by exfoliating and then with the help of a grad student, annealing nanoscale h-BN. In order to locate the single photon emitters, a graduate student mentor will perform photoluminescence spectroscopy on potential quantum emitters under cryogenic and/or room temperature conditions. The generation of these quantum emitters is the first step in the pipeline of using these quantum light sources for quantum applications by integrating them into photonic and optoelectronic devices that can be produced at scale.

In relation to this project, you may also have the opportunity to help with the design and upgrade of our state-of-the-art spectroscopy setup. You are expected to create thin layers of the 2D materials and screen them to determine which samples will be a good candidate for quantum emitters. The final goal of this project is tied to research outcomes of how we can use the quantum emitters for optoelectronic integration.