Spectral tuning and nanoscale localization of single color centers in silicon via controllable strain

The development of color centers in silicon enables scalable quantum technologies by combining telecom-wavelength emission and compatibility with mature silicon fabrication. However, large-scale integration requires precise control of each emitter's optical transition to generate indistinguishable photons for quantum networking. Here, we demonstrate a foundry-fabricated photonic integrated circuit (PIC) combining suspended silicon waveguides with a microelectromechanical (MEMS) cantilever to apply local strain and spectrally tune individual G-centers. Applying up to 35 V between the cantilever and the substrate induces a reversible wavelength shift of the zero-phonon line exceeding 100 pm, with no loss in brightness. Moreover, by modeling the strain-induced shifts with a digital twin physical model, we achieve vertical localization of color centers with sub-3 nm vertical resolution, directly correlating their spatial position, dipole orientation, and spectral behavior. This method enables on-demand, low-power control of emission spectrum and nanoscale localization of color centers, advancing quantum networks on a foundry-compatible platform.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2025-10-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63871-8
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Silicon Nanostructures and Photoluminescence
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.55

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article

Spectral tuning and nanoscale localization of single color centers in silicon via controllable strain

Matteo Pirro, Alessandro Buzzi, Valeria Saggio, Carlos Errando-Herranz et al.
3 citations
Nature Communications
Silicon Nanostructures and Photoluminescence
1.55
article

Spectral tuning and nanoscale localization of single color centers in silicon via controllable strain

Matteo Pirro, Alessandro Buzzi, Valeria Saggio, Carlos Errando-Herranz, Camille Papon, Dirk Englund, Hamza Raniwala, Odiel Hooybergs
article en
3 citations

Abstract

The development of color centers in silicon enables scalable quantum technologies by combining telecom-wavelength emission and compatibility with mature silicon fabrication. However, large-scale integration requires precise control of each emitter's optical transition to generate indistinguishable photons for quantum networking. Here, we demonstrate a foundry-fabricated photonic integrated circuit (PIC) combining suspended silicon waveguides with a microelectromechanical (MEMS) cantilever to apply local strain and spectrally tune individual G-centers. Applying up to 35 V between the cantilever and the substrate induces a reversible wavelength shift of the zero-phonon line exceeding 100 pm, with no loss in brightness. Moreover, by modeling the strain-induced shifts with a digital twin physical model, we achieve vertical localization of color centers with sub-3 nm vertical resolution, directly correlating their spatial position, dipole orientation, and spectral behavior. This method enables on-demand, low-power control of emission spectrum and nanoscale localization of color centers, advancing quantum networks on a foundry-compatible platform.

Nature CommunicationsVol. 16(1)
QuTech (NL), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US), Delft University of Technology (NL)
National Science Foundation, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Air Force Research Laboratory
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
Silicon Nanostructures and Photoluminescence
1.55
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