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arXiv:2403.12291 · APL Quantum

Photon statistics analysis of h-BN quantum emitters with pulsed and continuous-wave excitation

Hamidreza Akbari, Pankaj Kumar Jha, Kristina L. Malinowski, Benjamin E. C. Koltenbah, Harry A. Atwater

Published Jun 1, 2024• 7 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We report on the quantum photon statistics of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) quantum emitters by analyzing the Mandel Q parameter. We have measured the Mandel Q parameter for h-BN quantum emitters under various temperature and pump power excitation conditions. Under pulsed excitation, we can achieve a Mandel Q of −0.002, and under continuous-wave excitation, this parameter can reach −0.0025. We investigate the effect of cryogenic temperatures on Mandel Q and conclude that the photon statistics vary weakly with temperature. Through the calculation of spontaneous emission from an excited two-level emitter model, we demonstrate good agreement between the measured and calculated Mandel Q parameters when accounting for the experimental photon collection efficiency. Finally, we illustrate the usefulness of Mandel Q in quantum applications by the example of random number generation and analyze the effect of Mandel Q on the speed of generating random bits via this method.

DOI
10.1063/5.0206243

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We report on the quantum photon statistics of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) quantum emitters by analyzing the Mandel Q parameter. We have measured the Mandel Q parameter for h-BN quantum emitters under various temperature and pump power excitation conditions. Under pulsed excitation, we can achieve a Mandel Q of −0.002, and under continuous-wave excitation, this parameter can reach −0.0025. We investigate the effect of cryogenic temperatures on Mandel Q and conclude that the photon statistics vary weakly with temperature. Through the calculation of spontaneous emission from an excited two-level emitter model, we demonstrate good agreement between the measured and calculated Mandel Q parameters when accounting for the experimental photon collection efficiency. Finally, we illustrate the usefulness of Mandel Q in quantum applications by the example of random number generation and analyze the effect of Mandel Q on the speed of generating random bits via this method.
The time-dependent Mandel Q parameter, Q(T), provides a measure of photon number variance for a light source as a function of integration time. Here, we use Q(T) to characterise single photon emission from a quantum emitter in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). Under pulsed excitation a negative Q parameter was measured, indicating photon antibunching at an integration time of 100 ns. For larger integration times Q is positive and the photon statistics become super-Poissonian, and we show by comparison with a Monte Carlo simulation for a three-level emitter that this is consistent with the effect of a metastable shelving state. Looking towards technological applications for hBN single photon sources, we propose that Q(T) provides valuable information on the intensity stability of single photon emission. This is useful in addition to the commonly used g(2)(τ)g^{(2)}(τ)g(2)(τ) function for the complete characterisation of a hBN emitter.
The time-dependent Mandel Q parameter, Q ( T ), provides a measure of photon number variance for a light source as a function of integration time. Here, we use Q ( T ) to characterise single photon emission from a quantum emitter in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). Under pulsed excitation a negative Q parameter was measured, indicating photon antibunching at an integration time of 100 ns. For larger integration times Q is positive and the photon statistics become super-Poissonian, and we show by comparison with a Monte Carlo simulation for a three-level emitter that this is consistent with the effect of a metastable shelving state. Looking towards technological applications for hBN single photon sources, we propose that Q ( T ) provides valuable information on the intensity stability of single photon emission. This is useful in addition to the commonly used g (2) ( τ ) function for the complete characterisation of a hBN emitter.
High-purity quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) hold the potential for use as high-quality quantum random number generators (QRNGs). In this work, we verify a QRNG using a deterministically placed quantum emitter in nanoindented hBN with∼95%\mathbf{\sim 9 5 \%}∼95%single-photon purity.
Photon emission correlation spectroscopy (PECS) is an indispensable tool for the study of atoms, molecules, and, more recently, solid-state quantum defects. In solid-state systems, its most common use is as an indicator of single-photon emission, a key property for quantum technology. Beyond single-photon purity, photon correlation measurements can provide a wealth of information that can reveal details about an emitter's electronic structure and optical dynamics that are hidden by other spectroscopy techniques. This thesis explores the application of PECS to study and understand the optical dynamics of quantum emitters. The first part of this thesis presents a guide to a standardized framework for using PECS to facilitate materials exploration for qubit candidates. This includes discussion of theoretical background, considerations for data acquisition and statistical analysis, and interpretation of PECS. It also illustrates how this experimental technique can be paired with optical dynamics simulations to formulate an electronic model for unknown quantum emitters. The second part of this thesis implements the practices discussed in the first part to explore the optical dynamics of two systems: the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond and a quantum emitter in hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). The NV center is a promising platform for applications in quantum sensing, quantum communication, and quantum networks. In particular, its spin and charge dynamics constitute useful attributes that can be harnessed for quantum control protocols. This thesis models and quantifies the transition rates that govern spin and charge dynamics in the NV center, utilizing PECS measurements, analysis, and simulations as a function of magnetic field, and excitation power. These findings can further inform the design of quantum control protocols. H-BN hosts pure single-photon emitters that have shown evidence of optically detected electronic spin dynamics. However, the electrical and chemical structure of these optically addressable spins is unknown, and the nature of their spin-optical interactions remains mysterious. This thesis discusses time-domain optical and microwave experiments to characterize a single emitter in h-BN exhibiting room temperature optically detected magnetic resonance. It further discusses use of dynamical simulations to constrain and quantify transition rates in the model, and design of optical control protocols that optimize the signal-to-noise ratio for spin readout. This constitutes a necessary step towards quantum control of spin states in h-BN.
Defects in solid-state systems constitute a promising platform for the realization of deterministic quantum emitters. Among many candidate materials and emitters, point defects in hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) have recently emerged as particularly promising. In this work, we probe the coherence of an individual B center with a zero phonon line at 436 nm, under pulsed resonant excitation. We observe power-dependent Rabi oscillations up to 5π, demonstrating optical coherent control of the transition. We achieve an excellent single photon purity of 93% at π-pulse. Furthermore, we probe the coherence of the two-level system using Ramsey interferometry, revealing an inhomogeneous coherence time of T_2*=0.60 ns. These results establish B centers in hBN as viable candidates for triggered, coherent quantum emitters and represent an important step towards their integration into quantum photonic platforms.
Abstract Quantum random number generation (QRNG) harnesses the intrinsic randomness of quantum mechanical phenomena. On-chip photonic circuitry provides a robust and versatile platform that can address and explore fundamental questions in quantum as well as classical physics. Likewise, integrated waveguide-based architectures hold the potential for intrinsically scalable, efficient and compact implementations of photonic QRNG. Here, we harness the quantum emission from the two-dimensional material hexagonal boron nitride an emerging atomically thin medium that can generate single photons on demand while operating at room temperature. By means of a customized splitter arrangement, we achieve true random number generation through the measurement of single photons exiting one of four designated output ports, and subsequently verify the randomness of the sequences in accordance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology benchmark suite. Our results clearly demonstrate the viability and efficiency of this approach to on-chip deterministic random number generators.