Deterministic generation and nanophotonic integration of 2D quantum emitters for advanced quantum photonic functionalities

Abstract

Quantum emitters (QEs) are essential building blocks for quantum applications, such as quantum communication, quantum computing and metrology. Two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), are promising platforms for scalable QE generation due to their unique properties, including their compatibility with external photonic structures. Advances in defect engineering and strain manipulation enable precise localization of emission sites within these materials, while integration with nanophotonic structures, including cavities and waveguides, enhances photon emission through the Purcell effect. This integration supports quantum functionalities like single-photon routing and spin-photon interactions. Challenges include achieving precise QE placement and emission control, as environmental factors can affect QE purity and indistinguishability. Nonetheless, electrically driven QEs, strain-tunable emission, and the integration of van der Waals magnets present opportunities for compact, scalable quantum devices with on-demand single-photon sources and spin-based quantum memory, positioning 2D QEs as foundational for next-generation quantum devices.