@article{Panfil2025,

title = {Room-temperature quantum emission from CuZn-VS defects in ZnS:Cu colloidal nanocrystals},

author = {Yossef E. Panfil and Sarah M. Thompson and Gary Chen and Jonah Ng and Cherie R. Kagan and Lee C. Bassett},

url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.11812},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-21},

urldate = {2025-01-21},

journal = {arxiv:2501.11812},

abstract = {We report room-temperature observations of CuZn-VS quantum emitters in individual ZnS:Cu nanocrystals (NCs). Using time-gated imaging, we isolate the distinct, ∼3-μs-long, red photoluminescence (PL) emission of CuZn-VS defects, enabling their precise identification and statistical characterization. The emitters exhibit distinct blinking and photon antibunching, consistent with individual NCs containing two to four CuZn-VS defects. The quantum emitters' PL spectra show a pronounced blue shift compared to NC dispersions, likely due to photochemical and charging effects. Emission polarization measurements of quantum emitters are consistent with a σ-character optical dipole transition and the symmetry of the CuZn-VS defect. These observations motivate further investigation of CuZn-VS defects in ZnS NCs for use in quantum technologies.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {forthcoming},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Gusdorff2024,

title = {Correlated Structural and Optical Characterization of Hexagonal Boron Nitride},

author = {Jordan A. Gusdorff and Pia Bhatia and Trey T. Shin and Alexandra Sofia Uy-Tioco and Benjamin N. Sailors and Rachael N. Keneipp and Marija Drndić and Lee C. Bassett},

url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.14408},

doi = {10.48550/arXiv.2411.14408},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-11-21},

urldate = {2024-11-21},

journal = {arXiv:2411.14408},

abstract = {Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) hosts quantum emitters that exhibit single-photon emission and spin-dependent fluorescence at room temperature. These features make hBN a promising platform for quantum sensing and photonics. Despite many investigations of their optical properties, the emitters' chemical structure remains unclear, as does the role of contamination at surfaces and interfaces in forming the emitters or modifying their properties. We prepare hBN samples that are compatible with both confocal photoluminescence microscopy (PL) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and we use those techniques to investigate correlations between fluorescent emission, flake morphology, and surface residue. We find that the microscopy techniques themselves induce changes in hBN's optical activity and residue morphology: PL measurements induce photobleaching, whereas TEM measurements alter surface residue and emission characteristics. We also study the effects of common treatments — annealing and oxygen plasma cleaning — on the structure and optical activity of hBN. The results illustrate the power and importance of correlative studies to elucidate aspects of microscopic mechanisms that influence hBN's functionality as a host for quantum emitters and spin defects.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {forthcoming},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ouellet2024,

title = {Mechanical prions: Self-assembling microstructures},

author = {Mathieu Ouellet and Dani S. Bassett and Lee C. Bassett and Kieran A. Murphy and Shubhankar P. Patankar},

url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.10939},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-04-16},

urldate = {2024-04-16},

journal = {arxiv:2402.10939},

abstract = {Prions are misfolded proteins that transmit their structural arrangement to neighboring proteins. In biological systems, prion dynamics can produce a variety of complex functional outcomes. Yet, an understanding of prionic causes has been hampered by the fact that few computational models exist that allow for experimental design, hypothesis testing, and control. Here, we identify essential prionic properties and present a biologically inspired model of prions using simple mechanical structures capable of undergoing complex conformational change. We demonstrate the utility of our approach by designing a prototypical mechanical prion and validating its properties experimentally. Our work provides a design framework for harnessing and manipulating prionic properties in natural and artificial systems.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {forthcoming},

tppubtype = {article}

}