Tunable Fluorescent Quantum Defects in Carbon Nanotubes

Additional Authors: Brandon J. Heppe, Fjorela Xhyliu, Nina Dzombic, Joseph M. Keil, Xue-Long Sun

Abstract:

The rich chemistry of carbon nanotubes has created diverse electronic structures and optical properties in a controllable fashion. This talk will focus on an emerging class of synthetic defect emitters that can be achieved by implanting fluorescent quantum defects on semiconducting carbon nanotubes to tune light in the near-infrared wavelength range. Specifically, photoreaction of carbon nanotubes via oxygen doping and aryl diazonium chemistry has been utilized to create fluorescent quantum emitters. We revealed the roles of key factors controlling the creation of fluorescent quantum defects in nanotubes, including the surface coating material, light energy, and solvent water. These findings provide important insights into the carbon nanotube chemistry for creating promising material platforms for optical sensing, imaging, and quantum communication technologies.