Narrow and Stable Single Photon Emission from Dibenzoterrylene inpara‐Terphenyl Nanocrystals

Abstract

Single organic molecules are promising photon sources for quantum technologies. In this work we show photon emission from dibenzoterrylene, a widely used organic emitter, in a new host matrix, para‐terphenyl. We present a reprecipitation growth method that produces para‐terphenyl nanocrystals which are ideal for integration into nanophotonic devices due to their small size. We characterise the optical properties of dibenzoterrylene in nanocrystals at room and cryogenic temperatures, showing bright, narrow emission from a single molecule. Spectral data on the vibrational energies is presented and a further 25 additional molecules are characterised. This emitter‐host combination has potential for quantum technology purposes with wavelengths suitable for interfacing with quantum memories.

High-Resolution Cryogenic Spectroscopy of Single Molecules in Nanoprinted Crystals

“…Solid-state quantum emitters need a high degree of order in their environment because their intrinsically narrow optical transitions can be easily perturbed by atomic, molecular, or other nanoscopic dynamics in their surroundings, leading to frequency broadening and instability. 37 This requirement is typically very difficult to satisfy when emitters are placed close to material interfaces, e.g., in thin films or in nanocrystals. In our current work, we have characterized micro-and nanocrystals produced by electrohydrodynamic dripping with the advantage that individual crystals can be printed at a desired location, e.g., on a photonic circuit.…”

“…Solid-state quantum emitters need a high degree of order in their environment because their intrinsically narrow optical transitions can be easily perturbed by atomic, molecular, or other nanoscopic dynamics in their surroundings, leading to frequency broadening and instability . This requirement is typically very difficult to satisfy when emitters are placed close to material interfaces, e.g., in thin films or in nanocrystals.…”

Future Paths in Cryogenic Single-Molecule Fluorescence Spectroscopy

“…The search for new host–guest systems has been continued. Schofield et al reported a new guest–host system, DBT in para -terphenyl crystal, which allowed an easy and controlled sample preparation for nanocrystal growth . Moradi et al investigated a new guest–host system, DBT in DBN discussed earlier, which demonstrated a strong linear Stark effect .…”

Sharp zero-phonon lines of single organic molecules on a hexagonal boron-nitride surface

“…Impurities could also pile up at the crystal boundaries due to expulsion from the bulk or by adsorption from the environment and contribute to a local increase of conformational states. Despite these surface-induced effects on 0-0 ZPLs, it has been possible to reduce the dimensions of host-guest crystals and yet obtain near-lifetime-limited emission in the bulk of aromatic nanocrystals <100 nm thick, grown by reprecipitation from solution 12 , 13 . Thinner matrices for single molecules are highly desirable for applications such as single-charge sensing, which requires a close proximity of the sensing molecule to the charge 14 , or potential applications in nanophotonics 15 .…”