Future technologies for secure communication, advanced sensing, and powerful information processing will rely on our ability to control light and matter at the smallest scales. One promising approach uses tiny light sources known as quantum emitters, which can produce individual particles of light of a certain colour on demand. These emitters are considered key building blocks for future quantum technologies.
A particularly attractive material for hosting quantum emitters is hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), an ultra-thin material consisting of only one or a few atomic layers. Quantum emitters in hBN are exceptionally bright, stable, and can operate under a wide range of conditions. These properties make them strong candidates for use in future quantum communication networks and highly sensitive sensors. However, despite intense research efforts, scientists still do not know exactly which atomic-scale imperfections inside the material are responsible for creating these emitters. This lack of knowledge has made it difficult to reliably produce emitters with desired properties.
This FWF standalone project aims to solve this long-standing challenge by directly identifying the atomic origin of quantum emitters in hBN. The project will create controlled imperfections in the material and then study them using a combination of advanced microscopy and optical measurements. By observing the same defect both as an atomic structure and as a light-emitting source, the researchers can determine which specific atomic arrangements give rise to particular emission characteristics.
This approach will provide the first direct and unambiguous link between the structure of a defect and the light it emits. The experimental results will be supported by theoretical modelling, helping to confirm the findings and guide the search for new types of emitters with desirable properties.
The knowledge gained through this project will enable researchers to move from discovering emitters by chance to creating them in a controlled and predictable way. This capability is an important step toward the practical development of quantum technologies based on two-dimensional materials. In addition, the methods developed in this project can be applied more broadly to other atomically thin materials, opening new opportunities for designing tailored quantum light sources and sensors.
The project brings together complementary expertise from leading research groups. Researchers at TU Wien contribute extensive experience in quantum optics and the study of quantum emitters, while scientists at the University of Vienna provide world-leading capabilities in atomic-scale microscopy and defect engineering. The work is further strengthened by theoretical support and international collaborations providing high-quality materials. Together, these partners will address a fundamental scientific question whose answer could help unlock the full potential of quantum materials for future technologies.
