# Acoustically modulated optical emission of hexagonal boron nitride layers

## TL;DR

This study demonstrates how surface acoustic waves can dynamically modulate the optical emission of defect centers in hexagonal boron nitride layers, enabling control over their electronic states.

## Contribution

It provides the first systematic analysis of acoustic wave effects on defect emission in 2D materials, including quantification of deformation potential and stabilization mechanisms.

## Key findings

- Emission intensity varies by up to 50% with acoustic modulation
- Emission energy oscillates with an amplitude of nearly 1 meV
- Hydrostatic deformation potential estimated at 40 meV/%

## Abstract

We investigate the effect of surface acoustic waves on the atomic-like optical emission from defect centers in hexagonal boron nitride layers deposited on the surface of a LiNbO$_3$ substrate. The dynamic strain field of the surface acoustic waves modulates the emission lines resulting in intensity variations as large as 50% and oscillations of the emission energy with an amplitude of almost 1 meV. From a systematic study of the dependence of the modulation on the acoustic wave power, we determine a hydrostatic deformation potential for defect centers in this two-dimensional material of about 40 meV/%. Furthermore, we show that the dynamic piezoelectric field of the acoustic wave could contribute to the stabilization of the optical properties of these centers. Our results show that surface acoustic waves are a powerful tool to modulate and control the electronic states of two-dimensional materials.

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/1902.08524