Electrically driven strain-induced deterministic single-photon emitters in a van der Waals heterostructure

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates electrically driven, strain-induced single-photon emitters in a van der Waals heterostructure, achieving controlled emission sites with promising applications in integrated quantum light sources.

Contribution

It introduces a method for electrically controlling single-photon emitters via local strain engineering in a layered heterostructure, advancing beyond optical pumping techniques.

Findings

Single-photon emission observed at 4 K at indentation sites

Photon anti-bunching with g(2)(0) ~ 0.3 confirmed single-photon nature

Emission shows intensity saturation and linearly cross-polarized doublet

Abstract

Quantum confinement in atomically-thin TMDCs enables the realization of deterministic single-photon emitters. The position and polarization control of single photons have been achieved via local strain engineering using nanostructures. However, most existing TMDC-based emitters are operated by optical pumping, while the emission sites in electrically pumped emitters are uncontrolled. Here, we demonstrate electrically driven single-photon emitters located at the positions where strains are induced by atomic-force-microscope indentation on a van der Waals heterostructure consisting of graphene, hexagonal-boron nitride, and tungsten diselenide. The optical, electrical, and mechanical properties induced by the local strain gradient were systematically analyzed. In particular, single-photon emission was observed at the indentation sites at 4 K. The emission exhibits photon anti-bunching behavior with a g(2)(0) value of ~0.3, intensity saturation and a linearly cross-polarized doublet. This robust spatial control of electrically driven single-photon emitters will pave the way for the practical implementation of integrated quantum light sources.