Dr. Igor Aharonovich, University of Technology Sydney
Quantum Technologies with Hexagonal Boron Nitride
Abstract – Engineering robust, solid‐state quantum systems is amongst the most pressing challenges to realise scalable quantum photonic circuitry. In recent years, quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) have emerged as fascinating candidates for realisation of room temperature quantum technologies with hBN.
In this presentation I will discuss the photophysical properties of quantum emitters in hBN and expand on their utility in scalable quantum technologies. I will focus on avenues to engineer these defects and describe their most promising properties – including their spin – photon interfaces. Integration of the emitters with photonic resonators is in the heart of achieving quantum circuitry on chip, and I will present our most recent attempts to achieve this goal. Taking advantage of the unique 2D nature of hBN, I will also show potential assembly of quantum optoelectronic devices and discuss potential on chip tunability of quantum emitters in hBN.
All in all, hBN possesses all the vital constituents to become the leading platform for integrated quantum photonics. To this extent, I will highlight the challenges and opportunities in engineering hBN quantum photonic devices and will frame it more broadly in the growing interest with 2D materials nanophotonics.
Bio – Igor Aharonovich is an award-winning scientist working on cutting-edge research into quantum sources that are able to generate, encode and distribute quantum information. A Professor in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at UTS, Igor investigates optically active defects in solids, with the aim of identifying a new generation of ultra-bright solid state quantum emitters. He is a chief investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Materials (TMOS), and leads an international collaboration investigating the chemical structure of crystal imperfections, or defects, in the nanomaterial hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). In 2013, he established the nanophotonics research group at UTS, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2015, and to a full Professor in 2018. His research group explores new quantum emitters in wide bandgap materials, with the aim of fabricating quantum nanophotonic devices on a single chip for the next generation of quantum computing, cryptography and bio-sensing. In 2016, Igor and his team discovered the first quantum emitters in 2D materials that operate at room temperature based on defects in hBN. He has co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, including one of the most cited reviews on diamond photonics. He has also written a road map for solid state single-photon sources. In 2019, Igor co-founded the inaugural online photonics conference, Photonics Online Meetup, which attracted more than 1100 attendees from around the world, and which was highlighted by top science outlets. The conference now runs twice a year. Igor has received several international awards including the Pawsey Medal (2017), the IEEE Photonics Young Investigator Award (2016) and in 2020 he was the recipient of the Kavli Foundation Early Career Lectureship in Materials Science from Materials Research Society. In 2021, he became a Fellow of the Optical Society (OSA), and in 2024 elected as a fellow of SPIE. Igor received his B.Sc. (2005) and M.Sc. (2007) in Materials Engineering from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, and a PhD from the University of Melbourne (2010).