Using our rational methodology, we reveal a defect in wurtzite AlN that can serve as an optically controllable spin qubit. It combines an Al vacancy and a S atom substituting the neighboring N atom $\left(V_{\mathrm{Al}}{\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{N}}\right)$. Linear response GW and Bethe-Salpeter equation calculations guide us to find suitable ground and excited triplet and singlet states of $V_{\mathrm{Al}}{\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{N}}$. The obtained optical spin-polarization cycle is similar to that observed in the negative nitrogen-vacancy $\left(N{V}^{-}\right)$ center in diamond. The calculated optical oscillator strengths for $V_{\mathrm{Al}}{\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{N}}$ suggest that, in contrast to the $N{V}^{-}$ center, the optical emission in the singlet and triplet states have comparable rates, which is favorable for the qubit functionality.

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• Defects
• Density of states
• Doping effects
• Electronic structure