Nitrogen-vacancy Centers In Diamond Research Articles

An instructional lab apparatus for quantum experiments with single nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

Hands-on experimental experience with quantum systems in the undergraduate physics curriculum provides students with a deeper understanding of quantum physics and equips them for the fast-growing quantum science industry. Here, we present an experimental apparatus for performing quantum experiments with single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. This apparatus is capable of basic experiments such as single-qubit initialization, rotation, and measurement, as well as more advanced experiments investigating electron–nuclear spin interactions. We describe the basic physics of the NV center and give examples of potential experiments that can be performed with this apparatus. We also discuss the options and inherent trade-offs associated with the choice of diamond samples and hardware. The apparatus described here enables students to write their own experimental control and data analysis software from scratch, all within a single semester of a typical lab course, as well as to inspect the optical components and inner workings of the apparatus. We hope that this work can serve as a standalone resource for any institution that would like to integrate a quantum instructional lab into its undergraduate physics and engineering curriculum.

Guest Editorial: Quantum Computing: A Beacon of Transformation for the Oil and Gas Industry

This past June, the United Nations proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology to recognize the potential of quantum science to drive innovations in sustainable development and global communications. It is also a recognition of how far the theoretical concept of quantum computing has come to become a reality, and the race to build a powerful quantum computer is accelerating every year. According to a recent report from Global Quantum Intelligence, the impact of quantum tech across the oil and gas industry could equate to $2.6 trillion by 2035. As the first chief data scientist in the oil and gas industry, I am acutely aware of the myriad challenges that our industry faces. I firmly believe that quantum computing and related quantum technologies are on the brink of revolutionizing our industry in ways we have yet to fully comprehend. The quantum revolution demands that the oil and gas and the broader energy industry rethink their approach to exponential technology and sustainability. The industry's history of adopting emerging technologies, as evidenced by the slow uptake of digital transformation, underscores the urgency of this shift. Even 30 years after the introduction of the digital oilfield concept, the industry lags in data quality, addressing data silos, and data democratization, as compared with other complex and highly regulated industries. The urgency of an energy transition towards a sustainable future necessitates the oil and gas industry to confront its complex challenges, which are beyond the scope of current computing power. Quantum computing, with its unparalleled computational power, emerges as one of the most promising technologies to optimize and accelerate solutions to the industry's intricate problems. As we discuss quantum computing in detail, we will explore how related quantum interconnected areas—quantum sensing, quantum networking, and quantum simulations—will enable unique applications for the oil and gas industry. In simple words, quantum computing is the field of computing that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems that are intractable for classical computers. The three main principles of quantum mechanics that are the cornerstone of quantum computing are superposition, entanglement, and quantum interference. Unlike traditional computing, where a bit (0 or 1) is the basic unit, a qubit is the unit of quantum computing. A qubit can exist in a state of 0, 1, or both simultaneously due to superposition, enabling parallel computations and the exploration of multiple solutions at once. Entanglement allows for correlated states, enabling operations on multiple qubits simultaneously for enhanced computational power. Quantum interference allows quantum states to interfere constructively or destructively with each other, amplifying correct solutions and suppressing incorrect ones, thereby empowering efficient computations. Thus, a significant quantum advantage is gained by using quantum computing for certain computationally challenging problems compared with traditional computing. Quantum computing will be performed on quantum computers, which are developed today using various technologies such as photonics, light particles, trapped ions, neutral atom traps, superconducting qubits, and controlling nitrogen vacancy centers in imperfect diamonds.

Utilizing the multifrequency resonances of the electron spins in diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers under strong radio frequency driving for quantum sensing

Multifrequency resonances in the pulsed-optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectra of electron spins in ensemble nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds are investigated under strong radio frequency (RF) driving at a MHz frequency range and weak microwave driving at a GHz frequency range in a bias static magnetic field for quantum sensing applications. First, we demonstrate that the coherent destruction of tunneling, which leads to the disappearance of the main resonance peaks, can be utilized for precise calibration of the RF amplitude. Next, we clarify the condition for enhancing the sensitivity of a DC magnetic field under strong RF driving at the RF frequency that matches the split frequency due to the hyperfine interaction between 15N nuclear spins and the NV electron spins. Our findings indicate that strong RF driving increases the sensitivity of the DC magnetic field by enhancing the ODMR contrast and reducing the linewidth. The above results contribute to certifying the quantitative accuracy of RF imaging and enhancing the sensitivity of the DC magnetic field imaging using ensemble NV centers in diamonds.

All-in-one quantum diamond microscope for sensor characterization

Ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are a leading platform for sensing and imaging magnetic fields at room temperature, in part due to advances in diamond growth. An essential step to improving diamond material involves the characterization of crystal and NV-related properties, such as strain and paramagnetic impurities, which can shift and broaden the NV resonances used for sensing. Full sample characterization through wide-field imaging enables both fast and detailed feedback for growers, along with the estimation of sensing performance before use. We present a quantum diamond microscope tailored for millimeter-scale wide-field mapping of key quantum properties of NV-diamond chips, including NV ensemble photoluminescence intensity, spin-lattice relaxation time (T1), and spin-coherence lifetimes (T2 and T2*). Our design also allows for lattice stress/strain and birefringence magnitude/angle mapping, and their in situ correlation with NV properties.

Microsphere-enhanced fluorescence collection for nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

Microsphere-enhanced fluorescence collection for nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

Reducing inhomogeneous broadening of spin and optical transitions of nitrogen-vacancy centers in high-pressure, high-temperature diamond

With their optical addressability of individual spins and long coherence time, nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are often called “atom-like solid spin-defects”. As observed with trapped atomic ions, quantum interference mediated by indistinguishable photons was demonstrated between remote NV centers. In high sensitivity DC magnetometry at room temperature, NV ensembles are potentially rivaling with alkali-atom vapor cells. However, local strain induces center-to-center variation of both optical and spin transitions of NV centers. Therefore, advanced engineering of diamond growth toward crystalline perfection is demanded. Here, we report on the synthesis of high-quality HPHT (high-pressure, high-temperature) crystals, demonstrating a small inhomogeneous broadening of the spin transitions, of T2* = 1.28 μs, approaching the limit for crystals with natural 13C abundance, that we determine as T2* = 1.48 μs. The contribution from strain and local charges to the inhomogeneous broadening is lowered to ~17 kHz full width at half maximum for NV ensemble within a > 10 mm3 volume. Looking at optical transitions in low nitrogen crystals, we examine the variation of zero-phonon-line optical transition frequencies at low temperatures, showing a strain contribution below 2 GHz for a large fraction of single NV centers.

Designing metasurface optical interfaces for solid-state qubits using many-body adjoint shape optimization

We present a general strategy for the inverse design of metasurfaces composed of elementary shapes. We use it to design a structure that collects and collimates light from nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. Such metasurfaces constitute scalable optical interfaces for solid-state qubits, enabling efficient photon coupling into optical fibers and eliminating free-space collection optics. The many-body shape optimization strategy is a practical alternative to topology optimization that explicitly enforces material and fabrication constraints throughout the optimization, while still achieving high performance. The metasurface is easily adaptable to other solid-state qubits, and the optimization method is broadly applicable to fabrication-constrained photonic design problems.

The phonon-modulated Jahn–Teller distortion of the nitrogen vacancy center in diamond

The negatively charged nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamond is an optically accessible material defect with a unique combination of spin and optical properties that has attracted interest in quantum-information sciences and as a design candidate for nanoscale quantum sensors. Here, we present time-resolved nonlinear optical spectroscopy measurements, conducted with ultrabroadband laser pulses, that reveal strong modulation of the excited-state by the longitudinal optical (LO) phonon of the diamond lattice. The LO phonon and its overtones geometrically distort neighboring NV centers, driving long lived (3.5 ps) excited state relaxation of coupled NV centers after the initial excitation and ultrafast (<150 fs) decay of the Jahn–Teller distortion. These observations elevate the LO phonon to an important tuning mode of the Jahn–Teller conical intersection and help resolve previous spectroscopy experiments that noted longer-lived excited-state dynamics.

Gate-set evaluation metrics for closed-loop optimal control on nitrogen-vacancy center ensembles in diamond

A recurring challenge in quantum science and technology is the precise control of their underlying dynamics that lead to the desired quantum operations, often described by a set of quantum gates. These gates can be subject to application-specific errors, leading to a dependence of their controls on the chosen circuit, the quality measure and the gate-set itself. A natural solution would be to apply quantum optimal control in an application-oriented fashion. In turn, this requires the definition of a meaningful measure of the contextual gate-set performance. Therefore, we explore and compare the applicability of quantum process tomography, linear inversion gate-set tomography, randomized linear gate-set tomography, and randomized benchmarking as measures for closed-loop quantum optimal control experiments, using a macroscopic ensemble of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond as a test-bed. Our work demonstrates the relative trade-offs between those measures and how to significantly enhance the gate-set performance, leading to an improvement across all investigated methods.

Detection of electron spin resonance of a single nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond using the excited-state lifetime

Detection of electron spin resonance of a single nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond using the excited-state lifetime

Quantum error correction using multiple nitrogen-vacancy center qubits

Abstract Quantum error correction (QEC) is crucial for protecting quantum information from the decoherence caused by the interaction between the system and the environment. Many QEC techniques and algorithms have been proposed and demonstrated in various physical platforms at low temperatures, such as superconducting circuits, Rydberg’s atoms, and trapped ions. At room temperature, the QEC realization with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond has become very attractive due to the promising nature of the centers that have a relatively long spin coherence time and can be initialized and read out optically. Here, we investigate the potential realization of a simple repetitive three-qubit QEC scheme in which three NVs are coupled via dipolar coupling. A single NV qubit has been protected using two other coupled NVs which act as ancilla qubits. In this configuration of three NVs, a single NV qubit is protected from bit or phase-flip errors. This work paves the way for realizing five-qubit QEC with NVs at room temperature to preserve a qubit against any arbitrary single-qubit error.

High radiation efficiency and tunable resonance planar double-turn spiral antenna for manipulation of nitrogen-vacancy centers.

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are promising quantum sensors, where microwave antennas play a crucial role in manipulating the spin states accurately. Conventional microwave antennas often struggle to balance radiation efficiency and bandwidth. To address this challenge, we design a planar double-turn spiral antenna (PDTSA), based on the ring microstrip antenna (RMA). PDTSA demonstrates an ∼4.5-fold increase in radiation efficiency compared to RMA. In addition, the PDTSA allows linear tunability of the resonance frequency up to 500MHz by adjusting the spiral input length. This feature addresses the limitations of a narrow working frequency range, which are typically caused by the narrowband in high-radiation-efficiency antennas. The experimental results show that at an absolute input power of 1W, the PDTSA increases the Rabi frequency from 1.72 to 8.06MHz compared to the RMA. This enhancement accelerates quantum state manipulation and reduces phase accumulation errors. These characteristics make PDTSA suitable for applications in quantum sensing and precision measurements using NV centers.

Uniform microwave field formation for control of ensembles of negatively charged nitrogen vacancy in diamond.

The homogeneity of the microwave magnetic field is essential in controlling a large volume of ensemble spins, for example, in the case of sensitive magnetometry with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. This is particularly important for pulsed measurement, where the fidelity of control pulses plays a crucial role in its sensitivity. So far, several magnetic field-forming systems have been proposed, but no detailed comparison has been made. Here, we numerically study the homogeneity of five different systems, including a planar antenna, a dielectric resonator, a cylindrical inductor, a barrel-shaped coil, and a nested barrel-shaped coil. The results of the simulation allowed us to optimize the design parameters of the barrel-shaped field-forming system, which led to significantly improved magnetic field uniformity. To measure this effect, we experimentally compared the homogeneity of a field-forming system having a barrel shape with that of a planar field-forming system by measuring Rabi oscillations of an ensemble of NV centers with them. Significant improvements in inhomogeneity were confirmed in the barrel-shaped coil.

Single and double quantum transitions in spin-mixed states under photo-excitation

Electronic spins associated with the Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) center in diamond offer an opportunity to study spin-related phenomena with extremely high sensitivity owing to their high degree of optical polarization. Here, we study both single- and double-quantum transitions (SQT and DQT) in NV centers between spin-mixed states, which arise from magnetic fields that are non-collinear to the NV axis. We demonstrate the amplification of the ESR signal from both these types of transition under laser illumination. We obtain hyperfine-resolved X-band ESR signal as a function of both excitation laser power and misalignment of static magnetic field with the NV axis. This, combined with our analysis using a seven-level model that incorporates thermal polarization and double quantum relaxation, allows us to comprehensively analyze the polarization of NV spins under off-axis fields. Such detailed understanding of spin-mixed states in NV centers under photo-excitation can help greatly in realizing NV-diamond platform’s potential in sensing correlated magnets and biological samples, as well as other emerging applications, such as masing and nuclear hyperpolarization.

Luminescent Organic Triplet Diradicals as Optically Addressable Molecular Qubits.

Optical-spin interfaces that enable the photoinitialization, coherent microwave manipulation, and optical read-out of ground state spins have been studied extensively in solid-state defects such as diamond nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers and are promising for quantum information science applications. Molecular quantum bits (qubits) offer many advantages over solid-state spin centers through synthetic control of their optical and spin properties and their scalability into well-defined multiqubit arrays. In this work, we report an optical-spin interface in an organic molecular qubit consisting of two luminescent tris(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl (TTM) radicals connected via the meta-positions of a phenyl linker. The triplet ground state of this system can be photoinitialized in its |T0⟩ state by shelving triplet populations as singlets through spin-selective excited-state intersystem crossing with 80% selectivity from |T+⟩ and |T-⟩. The fluorescence intensity in the triplet manifold is determined by the ground-state polarization, and we show successful optical read-out of the ground-state spin following microwave manipulations by fluorescence-detected magnetic resonance spectroscopy. At 85 K, the lifetime of the polarized ground state is 45 ± 3 μs, and the ground state phase memory time is Tm = 5.9 ± 0.1 μs, which increases to 26.8 ± 1.6 μs at 5 K. These results show that luminescent diradicals with triplet ground states can serve as optically addressable molecular qubits with long spin coherence times, which marks an important step toward the rational design of spin-optical interfaces in organic materials.

Insight into the nitrogen-vacancy center formation in type-Ib diamond by irradiation and annealing approach

Abstract Comprehending the microscopic formation of nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in nitrogen-doped diamonds is crucial for enhancing the controllable preparation of NV centers and quantum applications. Irradiation followed by annealing simulations for a type-Ib diamond with a 900 ppm concentration of isolated nitrogen is conducted along different orientations and at different annealing temperatures. In these simulations, molecular dynamics (MD) with smoothly connected potential functions are implemented. MD simulations revealed the dynamic formation process of the NV center, which was subsequently verified by first-principles calculations and experiments. The results indicate that vacancies undergo one or multiple migrations by exchanging sites with neighboring atoms. There are three mechanisms for the formation of NV centers: direct irradiation-induced NV formation, irradiation with further annealing to form NV and vacancy migration (VM) during the annealing process. Furthermore, the results show that both VM and NV center formations are affected by orientations. This study clarifies the formation of NV centers across multiple scales and provides a solid foundation for the targeted preparation of NV centers.

Current induced hidden states in Josephson junctions

Josephson junctions enable dissipation-less electrical current through metals and insulators below a critical current. Despite being central to quantum technology based on superconducting quantum bits and fundamental research into self-conjugate quasiparticles, the spatial distribution of super current flow at the junction and its predicted evolution with current bias and external magnetic field remain experimentally elusive. Revealing the hidden current flow, featureless in electrical resistance, helps understanding unconventional phenomena such as the nonreciprocal critical current, i.e., Josephson diode effect. Here we introduce a platform to visualize super current flow at the nanoscale. Utilizing a scanning magnetometer based on nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond, we uncover competing ground states electrically switchable within the zero-resistance regime. The competition results from the superconducting phase re-configuration induced by the Josephson current and kinetic inductance of thin-film superconductors. We further identify a new mechanism for the Josephson diode effect involving the Josephson current-induced phase. The nanoscale super current flow emerges as a new experimental observable for elucidating unconventional superconductivity, and optimizing quantum computation and energy-efficient devices.

Charge and Spin Dynamics and Destabilization of Shallow Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers under UV and Blue Excitation.

Shallow nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond offer opportunities to study photochemical reactions, including photogeneration of radical pairs, at the single-molecule regime. A prerequisite is a detailed understanding of charge and spin dynamics of NVs exposed to the short-wavelength light required to excite chemical species. Here, we investigate the charge and spin dynamics of shallow NVs under 445 and 375 nm illumination. With blue excitation, charge-state preparation is power-dependent, and modest spin initialization fidelity is observed. Under UV excitation, charge-state preparation is power-independent and no spin polarization is observed. Aging of NVs under prolonged UV exposure manifests in a reduced charge stability and spin contrast. We attribute this aging to modified local charge environments of near-surface NVs and identify distinct electronic traps only accessible at short wavelengths. Finally, we evaluate the prospects of NVs to probe photogenerated radical pairs based on measured sensitivities and outline possible sensing schemes.

Nanotube spin defects for omnidirectional magnetic field sensing

Optically addressable spin defects in three-dimensional (3D) crystals and two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) materials are revolutionizing nanoscale quantum sensing. Spin defects in one-dimensional (1D) vdW nanotubes will provide unique opportunities due to their small sizes in two dimensions and absence of dangling bonds on side walls. However, optically detected magnetic resonance of localized spin defects in a nanotube has not been observed. Here, we report the observation of single spin color centers in boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) at room temperature. Our findings suggest that these BNNT spin defects possess a spin S = 1/2 ground state without an intrinsic quantization axis, leading to orientation-independent magnetic field sensing. We harness this unique feature to observe anisotropic magnetization of a 2D magnet in magnetic fields along orthogonal directions, a challenge for conventional spin S = 1 defects such as diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers. Additionally, we develop a method to deterministically transfer a BNNT onto a cantilever and use it to demonstrate scanning probe magnetometry. Further refinement of our approach will enable atomic scale quantum sensing of magnetic fields in any direction.

Photoexcitation and recombination processes of the neutral nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond from first principles

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) complex in diamond is one of the most prominent solid state defects as the negatively charged NV defect (NV−) is a leading contender for quantum technologies. In quantum information processing applications, NV− is photoexcited that often leads to photoionization to neutral NV defect, NV0, and re-ionization back to NV− should occur to control the S=1 spin of NV−. As a consequence, understanding the photophysics of NV0 is crucial for controlling NV−. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that the S=1/2 electron spin of NV0 can also be initialized and read out at certain conditions that turns single NV0 a potential quantum bit. Quantum optics protocols rest on detailed knowledge on the electronic structure of the given system, which is obviously missing for NV0 in diamond. In this study, we combine the group theory and density functional theory calculations toward exploring the nature of the ground and excited states of NV0. We show that the effective three-electron system of NV0 leads to high correlation effects that make this system very challenging for ab initio simulations.