Correlation of nanoscale strain distributions with the spectral emission properties from nanoindentation induced quantum emitters in 2D TMD materials.

The ability to deterministically place solid-state single photon emitters represents a critical capability for scalable quantum computing platforms. 2D systems are one promising material platform for supporting quantum emitters, as localized strain in these systems has been demonstrated to produce single photon emitters. One means of deterministically imposing localized strain is nanoindentation by an atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe into a polymer surface covered by a 2D material. Here, the deformation of the polymer in combination with the adhesion of the 2D layer to the polymer, imparts a localized strain into the surface. While previous studies have shown that indentations in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) can create strain centers which act as single photon emission sites, strategies to create reproducible spectral emission properties remains elusive. Currently, little is known about the relationship between localized strain distributions imparted via nanoindentation and the spectral location, linewidth, and lifetime of photoluminescence emission by quantum emitters. We present a survey of nanoindentation parameters into 2D TMDs, specifically WSe₂, varying the size, geometry, and indentation force of the AFM probe used for nanoindentation. Modeling the strain imparted into the material, we then correlate nanoscale strain profiles with the photoluminescence properties of the respective single photon emission sources.