UTS Researchers Tune Quantum Light With 2D hBN Twists, Shifting Emission More Than Expected
Updated
Updated · ScienceDaily · Jul 1
UTS Researchers Tune Quantum Light With 2D hBN Twists, Shifting Emission More Than Expected
3 articles · Updated · ScienceDaily · Jul 1
Summary
University of Technology Sydney researchers showed that twisting atom-thin hexagonal boron nitride layers can directly tune embedded quantum emitters, changing the color and wavelength of the light they produce.
The team repeatedly lifted, rotated and restacked the layered material, giving continuous control over emission rather than fixing a device at one twist angle.
Hexagonal boron nitride enabled that approach because its ultrathin stacked structure can be separated and reassembled in ways conventional hosts such as diamond or silicon carbide cannot.
The work, published in Science Advances, offers a new route to making quantum-light components more practical for quantum computing, secure communications and high-precision sensing.
Twisting atoms unlocks quantum control, but can this breakthrough escape the lab to power real-world tech?
As this new material reshapes quantum light, are established technologies like diamond facing obsolescence?
Beyond faster computing, how will this new quantum control revolutionize secure communications and medical sensing?
UTS Scientists Achieve Unprecedented Quantum Light Control with Twisted Hexagonal Boron Nitride
Overview
In June 2026, researchers from UTS and collaborators introduced a groundbreaking way to control quantum light sources by twisting thin layers of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). This new method achieved a record-breaking tuning range, far surpassing previous strain-based techniques. By precisely adjusting the twist, scientists can now tune quantum emitters more effectively, which is crucial for advancing quantum technologies. The approach directly addresses the problem of spectral inhomogeneity that limits the scalability and reliability of quantum devices, offering a promising path toward more uniform and controllable quantum light sources.