A method for forming a silicon carbide material with a plurality of negatively charged silicon mono-vacancy defects includes irradiating a silicon carbide sample, annealing the irradiated silicon carbide sample in an annealing operation, and quenching the annealed silicon carbide sample. Quenching may include heating the annealed silicon carbide sample to a maximum temperature and quenching the annealed silicon carbide sample to form the silicon carbide sample with the plurality of negatively charged silicon mono-vacancy defects.