SPEED · Single-Photon Emitters from Engineered Defects for nanoscale quantum optics

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Project objective

Single-photon emitters are essential quantum light sources for secure communication, sensing, and computation. Among the most promising platforms are Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), combining strong excitonic effects, atomic thickness, and heterostructure compatibility. However, their defect-based emitters typically lack deterministic control, preventing reproducibility and scalable integration. Concomitantly, rapid advances in tip-enhanced nano-optics now allow probing and manipulating individual excitonic states at the nanoscale, offering a route to overcome these limitations. The scientific objective of this proposal is to achieve atomic-level understanding and deterministic control of defect-based SPEs in quasi-2D MoS2 crystals, establishing reproducible design rules for quantum photonics. Specifically, the project will (i) engineer sulphur vacancies with atomic precision using Fe-functionalised scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) tips to create isolated emitters, 1D chains, and 2D lattices, and (ii) elucidate photon statistics and exciton dynamics through Hanbury Brown–Twiss interferometry combined with STM-induced luminescence, tip-enhanced photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopies. These goals will be realised through a strong two-way knowledge exchange within ESISNA’s low-temperature hybrid scanning probe microscope platform. The host contributes advanced expertise in tip-enhanced spectroscopies, photon correlation, and non-classical light phenomena, while I bring complementary know-how on quasi-2D TMDs physics, including crystal cleaving, STM tip functionalisation, and atomic manipulation. This reciprocal transfer of skills, supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure, ensures the project’s feasibility and originality. The synergistic integration of atomic manipulation, quasi-2D TMD crystals, and advanced nano-optical spectroscopies will decisively enable the project’s success, while significantly securing my career trajectory and independence.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridCoordinatorSpain

Links

• View on CORDIS
• DOI: 10.3030/101284513