Photonic Nanostructures for Solid-State Spins in Diamond and Silicon Carbide

Abstract

Diamond and silicon carbide host a number of spin and optically active point defects. These include the negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy center (NV) in diamond and silicon vacancy (VSi) in 4H-SiC, which have numerous applications in quantum sensing and information science. However, these emitters have low collection efficiencies from the bulk and limited efficiency as a source of coherent, indistinguishable single photons. In this thesis, we utilize photonic nanostructures hosting these defects in diamond and 4H-SiC to provide improved collection efficiency and resonant emission enhancement via the Purcell effect. For NV, we developed patterned growth of diamond via chemical vapor deposition to create pyramid resonators that support whispering gallery-type resonances. For VSi, we studied the ion implantation process used to create defects, designed and fabricated photonic crystal cavities to demonstrate Purcell enhancement, examined the details of emitter-cavity coupling, and utilized focused ion beam implantation to create defects at localized positions. These results allow the integration of VSi within optical cavities in 4H-SiC toward single-defect and strongly-coupled emitter-cavity systems.