Scientists at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory discovered a new platform for quantum technologies by suspending two-dimensional (2-D) crystals over pores in a slab of gold.
When heated, the metal reflows to form a porous structure and the gold atoms lock into registry with the atoms in the 2-D layer on top.
The team discovered that this combination can create a large number of quantum light sources in a, sort of, ready-made network. The alignment between atomic layers may facilitate energy transfer and coupling between the emitters through the gold framework that connects them.
The ability to remotely control the piping of energy to a single-photon emitter makes this an attractive system for quantum technology.
The paper has been published in Nature Communications. (Phys.org)