Photon emission correlation spectroscopy as an analytical tool for quantum defects

Photon emission correlation spectroscopy (PECS) is a technique that can be used to characterize quantum emitters and assess their suitability for quantum technology [1]. It is a relatively simple experiment that can be performed with a continuous-wave laser and commonplace photon detection systems. While PECS is frequently used to identify single-photon emission, it can also be applied to reveal hidden internal dynamics associated with spin or charge states. Direct comparisons of PECS data with optical dynamics simulations can provide a wealth of information about these processes. To illustrate this, we will discuss the application of PECS to emitters in hexagonal boron nitride, demonstrating how PECS experiments and simulations reveal mechanisms of optical excitation and emission that inform detailed hypothesized models for the emitters' electronic structure and optical dynamics [2].

[1] Fishman et al. (2021) arXiv:2111.01252v3

[2] Patel et al. PRX Quantum 3, 030331 (2022)