Zinc Alloys Create Stable, Non-Blinking Quantum Lights

Single-photon sources are the heartbeat of emerging quantum technologies, yet finding materials that are both stable and efficient has proven difficult. Colloidal lead halide perovskites have shown promise due to their optical properties, but they often suffer from poor stability and a frustration known as 'blinking', where light emission turns on and off unpredictably. New research has overcome these hurdles by synthesising CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals alloyed with zinc.

By introducing zinc ions using zinc bromide, scientists replaced a portion of the toxic lead within the crystal lattice and eliminated 'deep trap states'—atomic defects that usually trap energy. This passivation process led to nanocrystals with exceptional durability and near-unity brightness. Furthermore, the zinc alloying accelerated a phenomenon called Auger recombination. This mechanism effectively suppresses the release of multiple photons simultaneously, ensuring high single-photon purity. The resulting zinc-alloyed crystals offer a stable, non-blinking solution essential for the next generation of LEDs and lasers.