Vacancy Centers In Diamond Research Articles

Microsphere-enhanced fluorescence collection for nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

Microsphere-enhanced fluorescence collection for nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

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.

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.

Optimizing off-axis fields for two-axis magnetometry with point defects

Vector magnetometry is an essential tool for characterizing the distribution of currents and magnetization in a broad range of systems. Point defect sensors, like the nitrogen vacancy center in diamond, have demonstrated impressive sensitivity and spatial resolution for detecting these fields. Measuring the vector field at a single point in space using single defects, however, remains an outstanding challenge. We demonstrate that careful optimization of the static bias field can enable simultaneous measurement of multiple magnetic field components with enhanced sensitivity by leveraging the nonlinear Zeeman shift from transverse magnetic fields, realizing an improvement in transverse sensitivity from &amp;gt;200 μT/Hz (no bias field) to 30 μT/Hz. This work quantifies the trade-off between the increased frequency shift from second-order Zeeman effects with decreasing contrast as off-axis field components increase, demonstrating the measurement of multiple components of the magnetic field from an exemplar antiferromagnet with a complex magnetic texture.

Photoluminescence studies of the charge states of nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond after arsenic ion implantation and subsequent annealing

In this work, nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers of high nitrogen diamond implanted with arsenic ions were investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopy. The transition of the NV center charge state was discussed by the regularly changing laser excitation power and measurement temperature following high-temperature annealing. After high-temperature annealing, the amorphous layer generated by arsenic ion implantation is transformed into a graphitization layer, resulting in a decrease in the NV yield. The electric neutral NV (NV0) center and negatively charged NV (NV−) center are affected by both radiation recombination and Auger recombination with increasing laser power. Accompanied by the increasing measurement temperature, the intensities of NV centers gradually decreased and eventually quenched. In addition, the charge states of NV− and NV0 centers were undergoing a transition. The zero phonon line positions of NV centers were also red shift, it was attributed to the dominant role of electron–phonon interaction in the temperature-dependent displacement of diamond energy gaps. The full width at half maxima of NV center were broadened significantly at higher temperatures.

Limitations in design and applications of ultra-small mode volume photonic crystals

Ultra-small mode volume nanophotonic crystal cavities have been proposed as powerful tools for increasing coupling rates in cavity quantum electrodynamics systems. However, their adoption in quantum information applications remains elusive. In this work, we investigate possible reasons why, and analyze the impact of different low mode volume resonator design choices on their utility in quantum optics experiments. We analyze band structure features and loss rates of low mode volume bowtie cavities in diamond and demonstrate independent design control over cavity-emitter coupling strength and loss rates. Further, using silicon vacancy centers in diamond as exemplary emitters, we investigate the influence of placement imprecision. We find that the benefit on photon collection efficiency and indistinguishability is limited, while the fabrication complexity of ultra-small cavity designs increases substantially compared to conventional photonic crystals. We conclude that ultra-small mode volume designs are primarily of interest for dispersive spin-photon interactions, which are of great interest for future quantum networks.

On the coupling between magnetoelastic waves and nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

We show that a coupling exists between nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond in proximity to magnetoelastic spin waves generated by a voltage driven surface acoustic wave. Experimental measurements show the presence of coupling driven by both dipolar fields induced by a spin wave-like excitation and off-resonant coupling of the NV energy levels driven by acoustically driven ferromagnetic resonance dynamics. A model is proposed based on chiral coupling of the NV centers to the stray field that originates from a propagating magnetoelastic wave in a thin magnet, and model predictions are validated by experimental observations. Understanding of the coupling enables a direct measurement of the stray field polarization, which in turn provides a detailed picture of the resonantly coupled magnon–phonon interaction.

‘Sawfish’ Photonic Crystal Cavity for Near‐Unity Emitter‐to‐Fiber Interfacing in Quantum Network Applications

AbstractPhoton loss is one of the key challenges to overcome in complex photonic quantum applications. Photon collection efficiencies directly impact the amount of resources required for measurement‐based quantum computation and communication networks. Promising resources include solid‐state quantum light sources. However, efficiently coupling light from a single quantum emitter to a guided mode remains demanding. In this work, photon losses are eliminated by maximizing coupling efficiencies in an emitter‐to‐fiber interface. A waveguide‐integrated ‘Sawfish’ photonic crystal cavity is developed and finite element (FEM) simulations are employed to demonstrate that such an emitter‐to‐fiber interface transfers, with 97.4 % efficiency, the zero‐phonon line (ZPL) emission of a negatively‐charged tin vacancy center in diamond (SnV−) adiabatically to a single‐mode fiber. A surrogate model trained by machine learning provides quantitative estimates of sensitivities to fabrication tolerances. The corrugation‐based Sawfish design proves robust under state‐of‐the‐art nanofabrication parameters, maintaining an emitter‐to‐fiber coupling efficiency of 88.6 %. Applying the Sawfish cavity to a recent one‐way quantum repeater protocol substantiates its potential in reducing resource requirements in quantum communication.

Variance properties of the microwave absorption spectrum of an ensemble of nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

This work presents an original method based on the variance properties of the microwave absorption spectrum of an ensemble of nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond. The spectrum is measured optically. A compact and simple device is designed to optimize the photon collection. We conduct a quantitative comparison of the ensemble's optical signal in both the visible and near infrared range. Using the enhanced signal-to-noise ratio achieved through the device geometry we perform real-time DC magnetometry at moderate light and microwave powers. Under these conditions, the amplitude of a DC magnetic field can be extracted from the variance of the microwave absorption spectrum in a fast and reproducible manner, without the burden of complex fitting techniques.

Enhanced photon extraction via cone structured waveguide from nitrogen vacancy center in diamond

We present a novel design of optical nanostructure for efficient light extraction from nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamond. Numerical simulations of the optimal structure exhibit significant collection efficiency along with a stable radiation profile. We achieved a photon collection efficiency of 70% even with a lower numerical aperture of 0.5. Two different approaches (simple cone and encapsulated cone) have been adopted to reach a high geometrical tolerance without affecting much to the efficiency and emission profile. Besides that, our structure adds an extra benefit in terms of emission enhancement near zero phonon line (ZPL) region of NV spectra. Overall, this cone shaped diamond structure provides a robust, highly efficient and directional emission which can be integrated with a quantum optical network for various applications.

Calculation of the energies of the multideterminant states of the nitrogen vacancy center in diamond with quantum Monte Carlo

Calculation of the energies of the multideterminant states of the nitrogen vacancy center in diamond with quantum Monte Carlo

Imaging of high-frequency electromagnetic field by multipulse quantum sensing using nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

Near-field enhancement of the microwave field is applied for imaging high frequency radio field using a diamond chip with an n-doped isotopically purified diamond layer grown by microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition. A short π pulse length enables us to utilize a multipulse dynamic decoupling method for the detection of radio frequency field at 19.23 MHz. An extraordinary frequency resolution of the external magnetic field detection is achieved by using amplitude-shaped control pulses. Our method opens up the possibility for high-frequency-resolution RF imaging at μm spatial resolution using nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond.

Decoupling nuclear spins via interaction-induced freezing in nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

Decoupling nuclear spins via interaction-induced freezing in nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

Multiconfigurational nature of electron correlation within nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

Multiconfigurational nature of electron correlation within nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

Nuclear quadrupole resonance spectroscopy with a femtotesla diamond magnetometer.

Radio frequency (RF) magnetometers based on nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond are predicted to offer femtotesla sensitivity, but previous experiments were limited to the picotesla level. We demonstrate a femtotesla RF magnetometer using a diamond membrane inserted between ferrite flux concentrators. The device provides ~300-fold amplitude enhancement for RF magnetic fields from 70 kHz to 3.6 MHz, and the sensitivity reaches ~70 fT√s at 0.35 MHz. The sensor detected the 3.6-MHz nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) of room-temperature sodium nitrite powder. The sensor's recovery time after an RF pulse is ~35 μs, limited by the excitation coil's ring-down time. The sodium-nitrite NQR frequency shifts with temperature as -1.00±0.02 kHz/K, the magnetization dephasing time is T2*=887±51 μs, and multipulse sequences extend the signal lifetime to 332±23 ms, all consistent with coil-based studies. Our results expand the sensitivity frontier of diamond magnetometers to the femtotesla range, with potential applications in security, medical imaging, and materials science.

Magnetic detection under high pressures using designed silicon vacancy centres in silicon carbide.

Pressure-induced magnetic phase transitions are attracting interest as a means to detect superconducting behaviour at high pressures in diamond anvil cells, but determining the local magnetic properties of samples is a challenge due to the small volumes of sample chambers. Optically detected magnetic resonance of nitrogen vacancy centres in diamond has recently been used for the in situ detection of pressure-induced phase transitions. However, owing to their four orientation axes and temperature-dependent zero-field splitting, interpreting these optically detected magnetic resonance spectra remains challenging. Here we study the optical and spin properties of implanted silicon vacancy defects in 4H-silicon carbide that exhibit single-axis and temperature-independent zero-field splitting. Using this technique, we observe the magnetic phase transition of Nd2Fe14B at about 7 GPa and map the critical temperature-pressure phase diagram of the superconductor YBa2Cu3O6.6. These results highlight the potential of silicon vacancy-based quantum sensors for in situ magnetic detection at high pressures.

Microwave Spectrum Detection at Microscopic Scale Based on Nitrogen Vacancy Center in Diamond

A machine learning‐based microwave spectrum detection method based on the nitrogen vacancy (NV) color centers in diamonds is proposed. The functional relationship between the fluorescence spectrum and standard microwave spectrum is established. The response matrix is calculated using the Tikhonov regularization technique, and an unknown microwave spectrum is reconstructed. Diamond particles with a size of only 5 × 5 μm2 are placed in the microfluidic structures. Consequently, the frequency detection range of the microwave spectrum is from 2.892 to 6.214 GHz with a resolution of 22 kHz. The proposed research opens new paths for microwave spectrum detection and imaging at the microscopic scale.

Directly revealing the electrical annealing of nanoscale conductive networks with solid spins

Complex electrical structures composed of nanomaterials are widely studied in the research of nanoelectronics. Characterizing the current distribution is important to understand the current conducting mechanism and optimize the device's design. In this work, we employed the nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond as quantum sensors to directly and noninvasively monitor currents in nanowire networks. The sub-micrometer magnetic field imaging was achieved by injecting microwave current into networks and detecting the magnetic resonate spins' population, revealing the internal current paths involved in electrical conduction during electrical annealing. The establishment, breakdown, and reform of current paths were imaged in detail, which are difficult to realize through conventional methods. The mechanism of resistance change and relocating of current pathways was subsequently analyzed. This work demonstrates that a diamond-based quantum microscope is a useful tool to unveil the nanoscale conducting properties of complex conductive networks and guide the design for potential applications.

Fast Quantum State Tomography in the Nitrogen Vacancy Center of Diamond.

Quantum state tomography is the procedure for reconstructing unknown quantum states from a series of measurements of different observables. Depending on the physical system, different sets of observables have been used for this procedure. In the case of spin qubits, the most common procedure is to measure the transverse magnetization of the system as a function of time. Here, we present a different scheme that relies on time-independent observables and therefore does not require measurements at different evolution times, thereby greatly reducing the overall measurement time. To recover the full density matrix, we use a set of unitary operations that transform the density operator elements into the directly measurable observable. We demonstrate the performance of this scheme in the electron-nuclear spin system of the nitrogen vacancy center in diamond.

Quantum Simulations of Fermionic Hamiltonians with Efficient Encoding and Ansatz Schemes.

We propose a computational protocol for quantum simulations of fermionic Hamiltonians on a quantum computer, enabling calculations on spin defect systems which were previously not feasible using conventional encodings and a unitary coupled-cluster ansatz of variational quantum eigensolvers. We combine a qubit-efficient encoding scheme mapping Slater determinants onto qubits with a modified qubit-coupled cluster ansatz and noise-mitigation techniques. Our strategy leads to a substantial improvement in the scaling of circuit gate counts and in the number of required qubits, and to a decrease in the number of required variational parameters, thus increasing the resilience to noise. We present results for spin defects of interest for quantum technologies, going beyond minimum models for the negatively charged nitrogen vacancy center in diamonds and the double vacancy in 4H silicon carbide (4H-SiC) and tackling a defect as complex as negatively charged silicon vacancy in 4H-SiC for the first time.