Single-photon emitters play an essential role in quantum technologies, including quantum computing and quantum communications. Atomic defects in hexagonal boron nitride ( h-BN) have recently emerged as new room-temperature single-photon emitters in solid-state systems, but the development of scalable and tunable h-BN single-photon emitters requires external methods that can control the emission energy of individual defects. Here, by fabricating van der Waals heterostructures of h-BN and graphene, we demonstrate the electrical control of single-photon emission from atomic defects in h-BN via the Stark effect. By applying an out-of-plane electric field through graphene gates, we observed Stark shifts as large as 5.4 nm per GV/m. The Stark shift generated upon a vertical electric field suggests the existence of out-of-plane dipole moments associated with atomic defect emitters, which is supported by first-principles theoretical calculations. Furthermore, we found field-induced discrete modification and stabilization of emission intensity, which were reversibly controllable with an external electric field.

Future scalable and integrated quantum photonic systems require deterministic generation and control of multiple quantum emitters. Although various approaches for spatial and spectral control of the quantum emitters have been developed, on-chip control of both position and frequency is still a long-standing goal in solid-state quantum emitters. Here, we demonstrate simultaneous control of position and frequency of the quantum emitters from transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers. Atomically thin two-dimensional materials are inherently sensitive to external strain and offer a new opportunity of creating and controlling the quantum emitters by engineering strain. We fabricate an electrostatically actuated microcantilever with nanopyramid patterns, providing a local strain engineering platform for the WSe 2 monolayer. The integrated WSe 2 generates high-purity single photon emission at patterned positions with a tuning range up to 3.5 meV. Together with the position and frequency control, we investigate the strain response on the fine-structure splitting and confirm 11% reduction in the fine splitting at the estimated tensile strain of 0.07%.

Color centers in 2-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) have recently emerged as stable and bright single-photon emitters (SPEs) operating at room temperature. In this study, we combine theory and experiment to show that vacancy-based SPEs selectively form at nano-scale wrinkles in h-BN with its optical dipole preferentially aligned to the wrinkle direction. By using density functional theory calculations, we find that the wrinkle's curvature plays a crucial role in localizing vacancy-based SPE candidates and aligning the defect's symmetry plane to the wrinkle direction. By performing optical measurements on SPEs created in h-BN single-crystal flakes, we experimentally confirm the wrinkle-induced generation of SPEs and their polarization alignment to the wrinkle direction. Our results not only provide a new route to controlling the atomic position

Layered materials that do not form a covalent bond in a vertical direction can be prepared in a few atoms to one atom thickness without dangling bonds. This distinctive characteristic of limiting thickness around the sub-nanometer level allowed scientists to explore various physical phenomena in the quantum realm. In addition to the contribution to fundamental science, various applications were proposed. Representatively, they were suggested as a promising material for future electronics. This is because (i) the dangling-bond-free nature inhibits surface scattering, thus carrier mobility can be maintained at sub-nanometer range; (ii) the ultrathin nature allows the short-channel effect to be overcome. In order to establish fundamental discoveries and utilize them in practical applications, appropriate preparation methods are required. On the other hand, adjusting properties to fit the desired application properly is another critical issue. Hence, in this review, we first describe the preparation method of layered materials. Proper growth techniques for target applications and the growth of emerging materials at the beginning stage will be extensively discussed. In addition, we suggest interlayer engineering via intercalation as a method for the development of artificial crystal. Since infinite combinations of the host–intercalant combination are possible, it is expected to expand the material system from the current compound system. Finally, inevitable factors that layered materials must face to be used as electronic applications will be introduced with possible solutions. Emerging electronic devices realized by layered materials are also discussed.