Diamond possesses unique physical properties which give it great potential as a solid state framework for quantum sensors. Despite a worldwide research and development effort, the primary factors limiting its wider implementation are the technical difficulties related to high quality synthesis and device manufacture. In this work, as a first objective, laboratory diamond synthesis is explored with the aim to achieve single crystal diamond of high quality. A suite of characterization methods is implemented to evaluate and understand the physical qualities of synthesized diamond. Through a measurement process, a procedure for improving diamond growth is presented. As a secondary objective, a diamond-based defect which can be functionalized as a quantum sensor is investigated. The negatively charged silicon vacancy defect (SiV⁻) in diamond is explored for its potential use as a quantum high pressure/low temperature sensor. This SiV⁻ defect is optically accessible by photoluminescence. This optical emission arising from the SiV⁻ defect is studied under high pressures (up to 17 GPa) and low temperatures (down to 11 K). More specifically, the emission corresponding to SiV⁻ zero phonon line and local vibrational mode and their respective change as a function of pressure and temperature are recorded. This work indicates a promising potential for the SiV⁻ defect as a useful quantum sensor, especially in the context of extreme conditions research.

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<p>Please email me at kdunn@celccocontrols.com to confirm receipt of my thesis.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Kayne</p> / <p>In current microelectronic interconnect technology, significant delay is incurred due to capacitances in the intermediate and global interconnect layers. To avoid capacitive effects optical interconnects can be used; however conventional technologies are expensive to manufacture. One method to address these issues is to make use of quantum confinement effects and states lying within the bandgap of the material to enhance luminescence in a CMOS compatible silicon based system. Thin SiCxNy films appear to be suitable to work as luminescent silicon based films due to their lower direct bandgap and chemical stability but have not yet been studied in great detail.</p> <p>This thesis is an exploratory work aiming to assess the suitability of SiCxNy films for the above applications and to identify future research areas. The films analyzed in this thesis were manufactured on the inductively coupled plasma-chemical vapour deposition reactor (ICP-CVD) at McMaster University. The ICP-CVD produces films of high uniformity by using a remote RF plasma and an arrangement of high vacuum pumps to attain a vacuum on the order of 10-7Torr.</p> <p>Several experimental techniques have been used to analyse the films. The complex index of refraction has been determined through the use of ellipsometry giving results typical of that of a-SiNx:H. The photoluminescence spectroscopy results show a large broad emission peak with at least one shoulder at higher energies. The precise luminescence mechanism(s) could not be identified though a strong relationship with the bonding state of nitrogen has been found. The composition and structure of the films, as determined through ion beam measurements, infrared absorption measurements, and transmission electron microscopy measurements demonstrate the formation of a two phase structure consisting of carbon rich clusters surrounded by a mostly silicon nitride matrix. These carbon rich regions have some graphitic character and act to dampen the luminescence.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Plasmonic nanostructures can enhance light-matter interactions in the subwavelength domain, which is useful for photodetection, light emission, optical biosensing, and spectroscopy. However, conventional plasmonic devices are optimized to operate in a single wavelength band, which is not efficient for wavelength-multiplexed operations and quantum optical applications involving multi-photon nonlinear processes at multiple wavelength bands. Overcoming the limitations of single-resonant plasmonics requires development of plasmonic devices that can enhance the optical interactions at the same locations but at different resonance wavelengths. This dissertation comprehensively studies the theory, design, and applications of such devices, called "multiresonant plasmonic systems with spatial mode overlap". We start by a literature review to elucidate the importance of this topic as well as its current and potential applications. Then, we briefly discuss the fundamentals of plasmonic resonances and mode hybridization to thoroughly explore, classify, and compare the different architectures of the multiresonant plasmonic systems with spatial mode overlap. Also, we establish the black-box coupled mode theory to quantify the coupling of optical modes and analyze the complicated dynamics of optical interactions in multiresonant plasmonic systems. Next, we introduce the nanolaminate plasmonic crystals (NPCs), wafer-scale metamaterials structures that support many (>10) highly-excitable plasmonic modes with spatial overlap across the visible and near-infrared optical bands. The enabling factors behind the NPC's superior performance as multiresonant systems are also theoretically and experimentally investigated. After that, we experimentally demonstrate the NPCs application in simultaneous second harmonic generation and anti-Stokes photoluminescence (ASPL) with controllable nonlinear emission properties. By designing specific non-linear optical experiments and developing advanced ASPL models, this work addresses some important but previously unresolved questions on the ASPL mechanism as well. Finally, we conclude the dissertation by discussing the potential applications of out-of-plane plasmonic systems with spatial mode overlap in wavelength-multiplexed devices and presenting some preliminary results. / Doctor of Philosophy / Emergence of electronic devices such as cellphones and computers has revolutionized our lifestyles over the past century. By manipulating the flow/storage of electrons at the nanometer scale, electronic components can be very compact, but their speed and energy performance is ultimately limited due to ohmic losses and finite velocity of the electrons. In parallel, photonic devices and circuits have been proposed that by molding the flow of light can overcome the mentioned limitations but are not as integrable as their electronic counterparts. Plasmonics is an emerging research field that combines electronics and photonics using nanostructures that can couple the light waves to the free electrons in metals. By confining the light at deep subwavelength scales, plasmonic devices can highly enhance the light-matter interactions, with applications in ultrafast optical communications, energy-harvesting, optical sensing, and biodetection. Conventionally, plasmonic devices are optimized to operate with a single light color, which limits their performance in wavelength-multiplexed operations and ultrafast non-linear optics. For such applications, it is far more efficient to use the more advanced "multiresonant plasmonic systems with spatial mode overlap" that can enhance the optical interactions at the same locations but for multiple light colors. This dissertation comprehensively studies these systems in terms of the fundamental concepts, design ideas, and applications. Our work advances the plasmonic field from both science and technology perspectives. In particular, we explore and classify the strategies of building multiresonant plasmonic systems with spatial mode overlap for the first time. Also, we establish the black-box coupled mode theory, a novel framework for analysis and design of complicated plasmonic structures with optimized performance. Furthermore, we introduce the "nanolaminate plasmonic crystals" (NPCs), large area and cost-effective devices that can enhance the optical processes for both visible and near-infrared lights. Finally, we demonstrate NPCs ability in simultaneous frequency-doubling and broadband emission of light and come up with advanced theoretical models that can explain the light generation and color conversion in plasmonic devices.

Nanodiamonds are a promising platform for quantum technologies due to the combinations of their inherent properties and the properties of the fluorescent color centers hosted in diamond. They can be employed as quantum sensing devices with spatial resolution in the range of the nanometer and capable of withstanding harsh conditions while also being biocompatible, allowing applications with sensitive biological systems; but they also find application in quantum computing and photonics fields. For all these applications the central features are the properties of the photoluminescent color centers employed, the color centers on which this thesis is focused are the Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) and Silicon-Vacancy (SiV) centers of diamond. Both centers are of high interest due to spin dependent properties of their fluorescent emission which can be accessed at room temperature. The development of quantum technologies based on such fluorescent nanodiamonds is stifled by the the lack of production techniques that can be easily scaled to industrial levels. In fact most of the more prominent techniques found in literature exhibit drawbacks both in terms of control of particle properties and of scalability. This thesis focuses on the synthesis of nanodiamonds by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid, with particular interest in the possibility of producing continuously nanodiamonds containing NV and SiV centers. For the NV center the technique of choice have been Pulsed Laser Ablation in liquid nitrogen focusing on the yield of the process as the technique has already been experimentally validated. For the SiV centers the ablation process was performed in water and the graphite precursor have been substituted for a composite graphite and silicon carbide precursor.

[pt] A robustez do processo de preparação de pontos quânticos de grafeno (GQDs), utilizando uma abordagem bottom-up, e ácido cítrico (GQDs não funcionalizados) ou ácido cítrico/glutationa (GQDs dopados com N) como precursores, foram estudadas para avaliar variações nas propriedades ópticas desses nanomateriais em função das condições de preparo (massa de precursor, taxa de aquecimento e do meio hidro-esfoliante). Foram preparados três diferentes tipos de GQDs para comparar, principalmente, as respostas fotoluminescentes e a supressão desta pelo Fe3+. Os GQDs não funcionalizados apresentaram fotoluminescência intensa (comprimento de onda de excitação = 330 nm e comprimento de onda de emissão na faixa de 450-460 nm). Os GQDs preparados em meio básico apresentaram luminescência até quatro vezes maior (comprimento de onda de emissão na mesma região). Os GQDs-GSH apresentaram resposta luminescente até duas ordens de grandeza maior (comprimento de onda de excitação = 347 nm e comprimento de onda de emissão = 425 nm) e sua interação com Fe3+, usado como mediador para quantificação de ácido ascórbico (AA), produziu supressão do sinal original e deslocamento do comprimento de onda de emissão para 440 nm. A variação nas proporções de glutationa e ácido ascórbico não implicaram em diferenças significativas nas características gerais desses GQDs-GSH, apontando para a robustez das condições de preparação dos mesmos. A adição de Fe3+ (4,0 × 10-4 mol L-1) reduziu o sinal original pela metade, permitindo distinguir a recuperação do sinal causada pela adição de AA. As curvas analíticas normalizadas para AA apresentaram linearidade no intervalo de concentração entre 1,0 × 10-5 e 1,0 × 10-4 mol L-1. A análise de uma amostra real produziu recuperação afetada pela instabilidade do analito no ambiente de sonda. / [en] The robustness of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) production, using a bottom-up approach, using citric acid (non-functionalized GQDs) or citric acid/glutathione (N-doped GQDs) as precursors, were studied to evaluate variations in the optical properties of these nanomaterials as a function of the experimental conditions (precursor proportion, heating rate, and hydro-exfoliating medium). Three different types of GQDs were prepared to compare, mainly, the photoluminescent responses and their suppression by Fe3+. Non-functionalized GQDs showed intense photoluminescence (wavelength of excitation = 330 nm and wavelength of emission in the range of 450-460 nm). The GQDs prepared in basic condition medium showed luminescence property up to four times greater (wavelength of emission in the same region). The GQDs-GSH showed a luminescent response up to two orders of magnitude higher (wavelength of excitation = 347 nm and wavelength of emission = 425 nm), and their interaction with Fe3+, used as a mediator for the quantification of ascorbic acid (AA), produced suppression of the original signal and wavelength of emission shift to 440 nm. The variation in the proportions of glutathione and ascorbic acid did not imply significant differences in the general characteristics of these GQDs-GSH, pointing to the robustness of their preparation conditions. The addition of Fe3+ (4.0 × 10-4 mol L-1) reduced the original signal by half, allowing to distinguish the recovery of the signal caused by the addition of AA. The normalized analytical curves for AA showed linearity in the concentration range between 1.0 × 10-5 and 1.0 × 10-4 mol L-1. Analysis of a real sample produced recovery affected by analyte instability in the probe environment.

Un-doped, Tb3+ as well as Yb3+ doped ZnO nanocrystals with different concentrations of RE3+ (Tb3+, Yb3+) ions were successfully synthesized via sol-gel method to produce rare earth activated zinc oxide nanophosphors. The phosphor powders were produced by drying the precursor gels at 200˚C in ambient air. Based on the X-ray diffraction results, it was found that the pure and RE3+ doped ZnO nanophosphors were highly polycrystalline in nature regardless of the incorporation of Tb3+ or Yb3+ ions. Moreover, the diffraction patterns were all indexed to the ZnO Hexagonal wurtzite structure and belong to P63mc symmetry group. The Raman spectroscopy confirmed the wurtzitic structure of the prepared samples. Elemental mapping conducted on the as prepared samples using Scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) revealed homogeneous distribution of Zn, O, and RE3+ ions. The high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) analyses indicated that the un-doped and RE3+ doped samples were composed of hexagonal homogeneously dispersed particles of high crystallinity with an average size ranging from 4 to 7 nm in diameter, which was in agreement with X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. ZnO:Tb3+ PL study showed that among different Tb3+ concentrations, 0.5 mol% Tb3+ doped ZnO nanoparticles showed clear emission from the dopant originating from the 4f-4f intra-ionic transitions of Tb3+ while the broad defects emission was dominating in the 0.15 and 1 mol% Tb3+doped ZnO. Optical band-gap was extrapolated from the Ultraviolet Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) absorption spectra using TAUC‟s method and the widening of the optical band-gap for the doped samples as compared to the un-doped sample was observed. The PL study of ZnO:Yb3+ samples was studied using a 325 nm He-Cd laser line. It was observed that the ZnO exciton peak was enhanced as Yb3+ions were incorporated in ZnO matrix. Furthermore, UV-VIS absorption spectroscopic study revealed the widening of the band-gap in Tb3+ doped ZnO and a narrowing in the case of Yb3+ doped ZnO system. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated that the dopant was present in the doped samples and the result was found to be consistent with PL data from which an energy transfer was evidenced. Energy transfer mechanism was evidenced between RE3+ and ZnO nanocrystals and was discussed in detail. / Physics / M.Sc. (Physics)

Des films minces de silice enrichies en nano-grains de silicium (ng-Si) dopées aux ions Nd3+ ont été déposées par pulvérisation magnétron réactive. Leurs propriétés de photoluminescence ont été étudiées en fonction de la composition. La formation d'agglomérats de Nd2O3 aux fortes concentrations en Nd3+ diminue la PL. l'influence de la temperature et de la composition sur les chronogrammes de temps de vie des ions Nd3+ a ete etudiee. On a démontre l'existence de deux temps de vie. La composante rapide a été attribuée aux agglomérats de Nd2O3 et la composante lente aux ions Nd3+ libres.