Carbon defect qubit in two-dimensional WS2

Identifying and fabricating defect qubits in two-dimensional semiconductors are of great interest in exploring candidates for quantum information and sensing applications. A milestone has been recently achieved by demonstrating that single defect, a carbon atom substituting sulphur atom in single layer tungsten disulphide, can be engineered on demand at atomic size level precision, which holds a promise for a scalable and addressable unit. It is an immediate quest to reveal its potential as a qubit. To this end, we determine its electronic structure and optical properties from first principles. We identify the fingerprint of the neutral charge state of the defect in the scanning tunnelling spectrum. In the neutral defect, the giant spin-orbit coupling mixes the singlet and triplet excited states with resulting in phosphorescence at the telecom band that can be used to read out the spin state, and coherent driving with microwave excitation is also viable. Our results establish a scalable qubit in a two-dimensional material with spin-photon interface at the telecom wavelength region. Recent work has demonstrated controlled fabrication of single carbon defect spins in the two-dimensional material WS2. Here, the authors use ab initio methods to determine the electronic and optical properties of this defect, establishing it as a viable qubit candidate operating close to the telecom band.

Automated summary

Identifying and fabricating defect qubits in two-dimensional semiconductors is crucial for quantum information and sensing applications. Recent research has achieved the engineering of a single carbon defect in single layer tungsten disulphide with atomic precision, demonstrating its potential as a scalable qubit. By determining its electronic structure and optical properties, the authors establish this defect as a viable qubit candidate operating close to the telecom band.