title: Localization of Narrowband Single Photon Emitters in Nanodiamonds.
abstract: Diamond nanocrystals that host room temperature narrowband single photon emitters are highly sought after for applications in nanophotonics and bioimaging. However, current understanding of the origin of these emitters is extremely limited. In this work, we demonstrate that the narrowband emitters are point defects localized at extended morphological defects in individual nanodiamonds. In particular, we show that nanocrystals with defects such as twin boundaries and secondary nucleation sites exhibit narrowband emission that is absent from pristine individual nanocrystals grown under the same conditions. Critically, we prove that the narrowband emission lines vanish when extended defects are removed deterministically using highly localized electron beam induced etching. Our results enhance the current understanding of single photon emitters in diamond and are directly relevant to fabrication of novel quantum optics devices and sensors.
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Kerem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bray
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sandstrom
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Elbadawi
authors.affiliation: Universität Augsburg, Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik IV, Universitätsstrasse 1 (Gebäude Nord) , 86135 Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Universität Augsburg, Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik IV, Universitätsstrasse 1 (Gebäude Nord) , 86135 Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schreck
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shimoni
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lobo
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Milos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toth
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aharonovich
keywords: color centers; defects; electron beam induced etching; nanodiamonds; single emitters