Synthesis of quantum emitting structures by Nd³⁺ ion insertion into van der Waals materials.

Quantum emitters in 2D materials are promising systems for next generation room temperature quantum technology. Here we report on our efforts to synthesize quantum emitting structures via ion insertions of Nd³⁺ into transition metal dichalcogenides. Neodymium ions are ideal emitters for this task because of their unfilled 4f orbitals, which can be optically pumped and are shielded by 5s and 5p orbitals. This orbital structure makes Nd³⁺ ions interact weakly with their surroundings. We use an electrochemical approach to insert Nd³⁺ ions and measure their photoluminescence. By controlling the synthesis parameters like voltage, solution concentration and reaction time we optimize the ion density with the aim to create individual quantum emitters in few-layer transition metal dichalcogenides.