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Optical detection of a single rare-earth ion in a crystal

Author

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  • R. Kolesov

    (3. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart and Stuttgart Research Center of Photonic Engineering (SCoPE))

  • K. Xia

    (3. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart and Stuttgart Research Center of Photonic Engineering (SCoPE))

  • R. Reuter

    (3. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart and Stuttgart Research Center of Photonic Engineering (SCoPE))

  • R. Stöhr

    (3. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart and Stuttgart Research Center of Photonic Engineering (SCoPE))

  • A. Zappe

    (3. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart and Stuttgart Research Center of Photonic Engineering (SCoPE))

  • J. Meijer

    (Ruhr-Universität Bochum, RUBION)

  • P.R. Hemmer

    (Texas A&M University)

  • J. Wrachtrup

    (3. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart and Stuttgart Research Center of Photonic Engineering (SCoPE))

Abstract

Rare-earth-doped laser materials show strong prospects for quantum information storage and processing, as well as for biological imaging, due to their high-Q 4f↔4f optical transitions. However, the inability to optically detect single rare-earth dopants has prevented these materials from reaching their full potential. Here we detect a single photostable Pr3+ ion in yttrium aluminium garnet nanocrystals with high contrast photon antibunching by using optical upconversion of the excited state population of the 4f↔4f optical transition into ultraviolet fluorescence. We also demonstrate on-demand creation of Pr3+ ions in a bulk yttrium aluminium garnet crystal by patterned ion implantation. Finally, we show generation of local nanophotonic structures and cell death due to photochemical effects caused by upconverted ultraviolet fluorescence of praseodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet in the surrounding environment. Our study demonstrates versatile use of rare-earth atomic-size ultraviolet emitters for nanoengineering and biotechnological applications.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Kolesov & K. Xia & R. Reuter & R. Stöhr & A. Zappe & J. Meijer & P.R. Hemmer & J. Wrachtrup, 2012. "Optical detection of a single rare-earth ion in a crystal," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-7, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:3:y:2012:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2034
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2034
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    Cited by:

    1. Stefano Reale & Jiyoon Hwang & Jeongmin Oh & Harald Brune & Andreas J. Heinrich & Fabio Donati & Yujeong Bae, 2024. "Electrically driven spin resonance of 4f electrons in a single atom on a surface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.

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