Ultrafast Quantum Light Emission Discovered in Scalable Perovskite Films
A groundbreaking study led by Professor Sam Stranks and his team at the University of Cambridge has revealed that halide perovskite materials can emit light at unprecedented speeds, opening new avenues for quantum photonic technologies.
Published in Nature Nanotechnology, the research demonstrates quantum transients on the scale of ~2 picoseconds in bulk formamidinium lead iodide films. These films were produced using scalable solution and vapour-phase methods, making the discovery particularly promising for real-world applications beyond the lab. [ceb.cam.ac.uk]
The ultrafast light emission originates from quantum tunnelling within nanodomain superlattices—ordered nanoscale structures composed of alternating layers of corner-sharing and face-sharing octahedra. This structural arrangement enables rapid radiative recombination, resulting in ultranarrow photoluminescence linewidths (<2 nm) at low temperatures. [nature.com]
Joint first authors Dr Dengyang Guo and StranksLab PhD student Tom Selby used a combination of ultrafast spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and electron microscopy to trace the emission back to these unique structural domains. Their findings suggest that perovskites, already known for their role in solar cell technology, may also serve as affordable and scalable platforms for quantum light sources.
While the study highlights exciting potential for ultrafast emitters and advanced photonic components, it also notes that the effects were observed at low temperatures. Further research is needed to assess performance at room temperature and to evaluate quantum-optics metrics such as single-photon purity and indistinguishability.
Professor Stranks commented, “Perovskites continue to surprise us. Their nanoscale structure gives rise to intrinsic quantum properties that could be harnessed for future photonic technologies.”
This discovery not only reinforces the versatility of halide perovskites but also marks a significant step toward practical quantum devices that are both high-performing and cost-effective.