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DOE OSTI · 3002493

Quantum light: creation, integration, and applications

Zhao, Huan [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)] (ORCID:0000000249820865)·Htoon, Han [Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT)] (ORCID:0000000336962896)·Goldner, Philippe [Chimie ParisTech - PSL, Paris (France); Paris Sciences et Lettres University (PSL) (France); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris (France). Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris (IRCP)]·Yu, Mengjie [Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)]·Sheldon, Matthew [Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)]·Fernández-Domínguez, Antonio I. [Univ. Autonoma de Madrid (Spain)]
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Abstract

In today’s rapidly evolving quantum landscape, the generation and manipulation of quantum light not only represent fundamental challenges but also herald unprecedented opportunities in communication, computing, sensing, and imaging. This special issue brings together a collection of contributions that span the entire journey, from the creation of quantum light using novel materials and emitters to its seamless integration into photonic architectures and eventual deployment in advanced quantum applications. This special issue, “Quantum Light: Creation, Integration, and Applications,” features a collection of three review articles, five perspectives, and 23 original research papers, highlighting both the timeliness of the topic and the remarkable breadth and richness of ongoing advancements in the field.

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77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY

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Zhao, Huan [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)] (ORCID:0000000249820865), Htoon, Han [Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT)] (ORCID:0000000336962896), Goldner, Philippe [Chimie ParisTech - PSL, Paris (France); Paris Sciences et Lettres University (PSL) (France); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris (France). Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris (IRCP)], Yu, Mengjie [Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)], Sheldon, Matthew [Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)], Fernández-Domínguez, Antonio I. [Univ. Autonoma de Madrid (Spain)]. 2025-05-22. Quantum light: creation, integration, and applications. https://doi.org/10.1515/nanoph-2025-0180

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Abstract Gold quantum rods (QRs) of Au60, Au78, Au96, and Au114 (protected by thiolate ligands) exhibit exclusive fluorescence, which is different from the shorter Au42 QR with dual emission (fluorescence + phosphorescence). Herein, we report the excitation wavelength-dependent near-infrared-II photoluminescence (PL) and exciton dynamics of this series of QRs. Interestingly, the fluorescence quantum yield (QY) of the QRs is much higher (2–10×) when the lowest singlet excited state (S1) is excited compared to the excitation of high-lying states (Sn). A metastable intermediate singlet state (denoted S′) is identified by transient absorption spectroscopy when Sn is excited, and this S′ state leads to fast “skybridge” intersystem crossing (ISC), which contributes primarily (>60%) to the total triplet population. With increasing aspect ratio (AR) of QRs (from 6.3 to 18.7), nonradiative processes accelerate, leading to fast decay of the S1 state (hence, less QY) and of the T1 state (barely phosphorescent). A detailed energy flow mechanism is determined for the QRs after photoexcitation, which offers a design principle for manipulation of exciton dynamics toward potential utilization of higher excited states in applications.

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