Nanoscale sensing and actuation with quantum emitters in 2D and 3D semiconductors

无论是导航、协调，还是诊断和治疗，精确的测量都是科技进步的动力。在（亚）纳米尺度上尤其如此，能够探测相关现象提供了丰富的机会——从监测活细胞中的生物过程，以进行定制诊断和治疗，到测量低耗散纳米电子学中自旋系统的化学势和输运。这项研究计划的目的是开发一种多模态、量子化的纳米级转导平台。该平台基于纳米换能器，能够以高灵敏度和空间分辨率感知和操纵周围环境。纳米换能器是基于三维和二维半导体纳米宿主的单光子发射器，特别是纳米金刚石和二维六方氮化硼。发射体是嵌在纳米寄主晶体基质中的外来原子状内含物。它们发射可见到近红外光的单光子，其强度和光谱特征取决于外部刺激，并与它们的量子特性（例如自旋状态）有关。纳米换能器的检测、操作和驱动是光学的，通过一个经过大量修改的、定制的共聚焦/捕获装置，该装置将作为研究计划的一部分设计和建造。它将结合光学捕获能力（用于3D空间操作）、单光子光谱（用于成像/探测）和微波场控制（用于目标传感）。该平台将成为生物医学、环境科学和量子光学领域一系列基础和实践研究的主力。我们将在生物环境中进行靶成像和纳米热测量，重点关注热应激源对热休克蛋白基因表达的影响。我们将通过反斯托克斯激光激发纳米粒子中的量子发射器来研究光学制冷，例如，在微纳米尺度上触发/暂停生物分子过程，或诱导高度局部化的水相变（冰的形成）。我们将以我们最近发现的六方氮化硼的自旋缺陷为基础，研究它们的基本性质及其在纳米级磁强计等传感器中的应用。该项目以cfi支持的基础设施为基础，由NSERC支持的HQP和运营资金，将在安大略省和加拿大成为独一无二的项目。该平台和研究计划将通过扩大国家在量子传感方面的专业知识，并通过培养毕业生在各种领域就业的培训，使加拿大受益，这是加拿大创新使命的重中之重。在Bradac博士扩展的合作伙伴网络的基础上，它还将发展地方，国家和国际合作，这将建立加拿大在纳米材料，生物医学和量子计量等研究领域的地位。

Precision measurements power scientific and technological progress, whether the intent is to navigate, coordinate, or diagnose and medicate. This is particularly true at the (sub)nanoscale where being able to probe relevant phenomena offers a wealth of opportunities-from monitoring biological processes in living cells for tailored diagnostic and therapeutics to measuring the chemical potential and transport of spin systems for low dissipation nanoelectronics. The aim of this research program is the development of a multimodal, quantum-enabled platform for nanoscale transduction. The platform is based on nano-transducers capable of both sensing and manipulating their surrounding environment with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. The nano-transducers are based on single-photon emitters in 3D and 2D semiconductor nanohosts, specifically nanodiamond and 2D hexagonal boron-nitride. The emitters are foreign atom-like inclusions embedded in the crystalline matrix of the nanohosts. They emit single photons of visible-to-near-infrared light, with intensity and spectral features dependent on external stimuli and tied to their quantum properties, e.g. their spin state. Detection, manipulation and actuation of the nano-transducers is optical, through a heavily modified, custom-built confocal/trapping setup which will be designed and built as part of the research program. It will combine optical trapping capabilities (for manipulation in 3D space), single photon spectroscopy (for imaging/detection) and microwave field control (for target sensing). The platform will be the workhorse for a series of investigations both fundamental and practical in biomedicine, environmental science and quantum optics. We will perform target imaging and nanothermometry measurements in biological environments with focus on the effect of heat stressors to, e.g., gene expression of heat shock proteins. We will investigate optical refrigeration via anti-Stokes laser excitation of quantum emitters in nanoparticles to, for instance, trigger/suspend biomolecular processes, or induce highly-localized water phase transitions (ice formation) at the micro and nano scales. We will build on our recent discovery of spin-defects in hexagonal boron-nitride and study their fundamental properties and their use as sensors in, e.g., nanoscale magnetometry. This program builds on CFI-supported infrastructure, with NSERC supported HQP and operating funds, and will be one-of-a-kind in Ontario and Canada. The platform and research program will benefit the country by expanding the national expertise in quantum-based sensing, and by fostering training of graduates for employment in a variety of fields-a top priority of Canada's innovation mission. Building upon Dr Bradac's extended network of partners, it will also grow local, national and international collaborations which will establish Canada's position in research areas ranging from nanomaterials to biomedicine and quantum metrology.