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A new study led by researchers at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Manchester has achieved a major advance in quantum materials, developing a method to precisely engineer single quantum defects in diamond青瓜视频攁n essential step toward scalable quantum technologies. 

The results have been published in the journal .

Using a new two-step fabrication method, the researchers demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to create and monitor, 青瓜视频榓s they switch on青瓜视频�, individual Group-IV quantum defects in diamond青瓜视频攖iny imperfections in the diamond crystal lattice that can store and transmit information using the exotic rules of quantum physics. By carefully placing single tin atoms into synthetic diamond crystals and then using an ultrafast laser to activate them, the team achieved pinpoint control over where and how these quantum features appear. This level of precision is vital for making practical, large-scale quantum networks capable of ultra-secure communication and distributed quantum computing to tackle currently unsolvable problems.

Study co-author , Department of Materials at the University of Oxford, said: 青瓜视频淭his breakthrough gives us unprecedented control over single tin-vacancy colour centres in diamond, a crucial milestone for scalable quantum devices. What excites me most is that we can watch, in real time, how the quantum defects are formed.青瓜视频�

Specifically, the defects in the diamond act as spin-photon interfaces, which means they can connect quantum bits of information (stored in the spin of an electron) with particles of light. The tin-vacancy defects belong to a family known as Group-IV colour centres青瓜视频攁 class of defects in diamond created by atoms such as silicon, germanium, or tin.

Group-IV centres have long been prized for their high degree of symmetry, which gives them stable optical and spin properties, making them ideal for quantum networking applications. It is widely thought that tin-vacancy centres have the best combination of these properties青瓜视频攂ut until now, reliably placing and activating individual defects was a major challenge.

The researchers used a focused ion beam platform青瓜视频攅ssentially a tool that acts like an atomic-scale spray can, directing individual tin ions into exact positions within the diamond. This allowed them to implant the tin atoms with nanometre accuracy青瓜视频攆ar finer than the width of a human hair.

To convert the implanted tin atoms to tin-vacancy colour centres, the team then used ultrafast laser pulses in a process called laser annealing. This process gently excites tiny regions of the diamond without damaging it. What made this approach unique was the addition of real-time spectral feedback青瓜视频攎onitoring the light coming from the defects during the laser process. This allowed the scientists to see in real time when a quantum defect became active and adjust the laser accordingly, offering an unprecedented level of control over the creation of these delicate quantum systems.

Study co-author  from the University of Cambridge, said: 青瓜视频淲hat is particularly remarkable about this method is that it enables in-situ control and feedback during the defect creation process. This means we can activate quantum emitters efficiently and with high spatial precision - an important tool for the creation of large-scale quantum networks. Even better, this approach is not limited to diamond; it is a versatile platform that could be adapted to other wide-bandgap materials.青瓜视频�

Moreover, the researchers observed and manipulated a previously elusive defect complex, termed 青瓜视频淭ype II Sn青瓜视频�, providing a deeper understanding of defect dynamics and formation pathways in diamond.

Study co-author , Professor of Advanced Electronic Materials at The University of Manchester, said: 青瓜视频淭his work unlocks the ability to create quantum objects on demand, using methods that are reproducible and can be scaled up. This is a critical step in being able to deliver quantum devices and allow this technology to be utilised in real-world commercial applications.青瓜视频�

The study 青瓜视频楲aser Activation of Single Group-IV Colour Centres in Diamond青瓜视频� has been published in Nature Communications: