Optically addressable high-spin states (S ≥ 1) of defects in semiconductors are the basis for the development of solid-state quantum technologies. Recently, one such defect has been found in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and identified as a negatively charged boron vacancy (${\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{B}}^{-}$). To explore and utilize the properties of this defect, one needs to design a robust way for its creation in an hBN crystal. We investigate the possibility of creating ${\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{B}}^{-}$ centers in an hBN single crystal by means of irradiation with a high-energy (E = 2 MeV) electron flux. Optical excitation of the irradiated sample induces fluorescence in the near-infrared range together with the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum of the triplet centers with a zero-field splitting value of D = 3.6 GHz, manifesting an optically induced population inversion of the ground state spin sublevels. These observations are the signatures of the ${\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{B}}^{-}$ centers and demonstrate that electron irradiation can be reliably used to create these centers in hBN. Exploration of the ${\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{B}}^{-}$ spin resonance line shape allowed us to establish the source of the line broadening, which occurs due to the slight deviation in orientation of the two-dimensional B-N atomic plains being exactly parallel relative to each other. The results of the analysis of the broadening mechanism can be used for the crystalline quality control of the 2D materials, using the ${\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{B}}^{-}$ spin embedded in the hBN as a probe.

We report the results of experimental and theoretical studies of phonon modes in GaN/AlN superlattices (SLs) with a period of several atomic layers, grown by submonolayer digital plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy, which have a great potential for use in quantum and stress engineering. Using detailed group-theoretical analysis, the genesis of the SL vibrational modes from the modes of bulk AlN and GaN crystals is established. Ab initio calculations in the framework of the density functional theory, aimed at studying the phonon states, are performed for SLs with both equal and unequal layer thicknesses. The frequencies of the vibrational modes are calculated, and atomic displacement patterns are obtained. Raman spectra are calculated and compared with the experimental ones. The results of the ab initio calculations are in good agreement with the experimental Raman spectra and the results of the group-theoretical analysis. As a result of comprehensive studies, the correlations between the parameters of acoustic and optical phonons and the structure of SLs are obtained. This opens up new possibilities for the analysis of the structural characteristics of short-period GaN/AlN SLs using Raman spectroscopy. The results obtained can be used to optimize the growth technologies aimed to form structurally perfect short-period GaN/AlN SLs.

Epitaxial graphene layers are produced with the aid of thermal destruction of the surface of a semi-insulating SiC substrate. Raman spectroscopy and atomic-force microscopy are employed in the study...