Tailoring Light-Matter Interactions in 2D Materials with Atomic Defects and Interfaces

Artificial atomic structures in 2D materials enable the customization of the optical spectrum and the formation of quantum emitters, with applications ranging from optoelectronics to scalable quantum photonics. In the first part of this presentation, we discuss our investigation into defect-based quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). We present our recent observation of elementary excitations that underlie quantum emission through a delocalized recombination process and the formation of coulomb pairs with large dipole moments [1]. In the second part of the talk, we explore light-matter interactions at phase interfaces in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Our findings indicate the possibility to generate additional optical resonances beyond standard excitons in TMD monolayers by combining metallic and semiconducting phases [2].<br/><br/>[1] Pelliciari, J., Mejia, E., Woods, J.M. et al. Elementary excitations of single-photon emitters in hexagonal boron nitride. Nat. Mater. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-024-01866-4<br/>[2] Woods, J.M. et al. Emergence of new optical resonances in single-layer transition metal dichalcogenides with atomic-size phase patterns. arXiv:2209.12873