Single photon sources and single electron transistors in two-dimensional materials

Abstract

The future optoelectronic technologies may operate on the basis of individual elementary particles, including photons and electrons. Achieving control knobs at such a fundamental level necessitates substantial progress in the domains of materials and device engineering. Recently, two-dimensional (2D) materials have become an important platform for such investigations, as their layered crystal structures give rise to inherent in-plane confinement of electrons. Defect engineering and/or van der Waals heterostructure device fabrication provide multiple strategies to induce further lateral confinement, leading to discrete electronic states required for both single photon emission and single electron operation. Herewith, we review the cutting-edge developments regarding single photon sources and single electron transistors in 2D materials. We provide a perspective on the convergence of these two separate fields into single electron-photon device platforms enabled by the unique characteristics of 2D systems.