Spatial Variation and Correlation of Spin Properties in Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

TL;DR

This study maps the spatial variation of spin properties in organic light-emitting diodes, revealing significant intra-device variability and spatial correlations that impact the reproducibility and integration of organic quantum devices.

Contribution

First two-dimensional mapping of the Overhauser field in an organic LED, highlighting intra-device variability and spatial correlations of spin properties.

Findings

Intra-device variability exceeds 20%.

Spatial correlations extend beyond 7 micrometers.

Implications for device reproducibility and integration.

Abstract

Devices which exploit the quantum properties of materials are widespread, with quantum information processors and quantum sensors showing significant progress. Organic devices offer interesting opportunities for quantum technologies owing to their engineerable spin properties, with spintronic operation and spin resonance magnetic-field sensing demonstrated in research grade devices, as well as proven compatibility with large scale fabrication techniques. Yet several important challenges remain as we move toward scaling these proof-of-principle quantum devices to larger integrated logic systems or spatially smaller sensing elements, particularly those associated with the variation of quantum properties both within and between devices. Here, spatially resolved magnetoluminescence is used to provide the first two-dimensional map of a spin property - the Overhauser field - in an organic light-emitting diode. We find intra-device variabilities exceeding 20% while spatially correlated behaviour is exhibited on lengths beyond $7 \, \mathsf{\mu}m$, similar in size to pixels in state-of-the-art AMOLED arrays, which has implications for the reproducibility and integration of organic quantum devices.