Spin-active chlorine-related centers in 4H-SiC with telecom-band emissions

TL;DR

This study identifies a chlorine-related defect in 4H-SiC that emits telecom-band light and is spin-active at room temperature, making it promising for quantum network applications.

Contribution

It reports the discovery and characterization of a new Cl-related center in 4H-SiC with stable optical and magnetic properties suitable for quantum technologies.

Findings

Emits telecom wavelengths with narrow zero-phonon lines

Confirmed spin activity and room-temperature stability

Zero-field splitting ranges from 1.0 to 1.4 GHz

Abstract

A photoluminescence (PL) and magnetic resonance investigation of a defect in chlorine-implanted 4H-SiC is presented. This Cl-related center emits light at telecom wavelengths with zero-phonon lines in the range 1350-1540 nm. Its four configurations exhibit stable PL spectra characterized by narrow zero-phonon lines. For the two configurations that emit light at the C-band, a Debye-Waller factor in the range 22-25% is estimated. Optically detected magnetic resonance confirms that the Cl-related center is spin active and stable at room temperature with the zero-field splitting in the range of 1.0-1.4 GHz. The combined optical and spin properties suggest this center to be a highly promising candidate for scalable quantum networks.