Monte Carlo simulation of the nuclear spin decoherence process in Eu3+ : Y2SiO5 crystals

Abstract

${\mathrm{Eu}}^{3+}$:${\mathrm{Y}}_{2}{\mathrm{SiO}}_{5}$ crystals are promising candidates for quantum memories because their nuclear spin coherence lifetime can be extended to 47 seconds at a particular magnetic field. Although an extended coherence lifetime of 6 hours can be achieved with a large number of dynamic decoupling sequences, these pulses will also introduce unwanted noise. To realize quantum storage with a lifetime of hours, it is necessary to quantitatively characterize the spin decoherence process of ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{3+}$ ions to guide the experimental efforts. In practice, a number of limiting factors could impose a limit on the achievable spin coherence lifetime, which includes the spin inhomogeneous broadening of the ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{3+}$ ensemble and the homogeneity and stability of the external magnetic field. Here, we provide a Monte Carlo simulation model of the nuclear spin decoherence process of ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{3+}$ ions in ${\mathrm{Y}}_{2}{\mathrm{SiO}}_{5}$ crystals, and these limiting factors are considered to provide an accurate prediction of the spin coherence lifetimes. This method is universal and can be applied to other rare-earth-ion-doped crystals.