Stark shift control of single optical centers in diamond

Lifetime-limited optical excitation lines of single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) defect centers in diamond have been observed at liquid helium temperature. They display unprecedented spectral stability over many seconds and excitation cycles. Spectral tuning of the spin-selective optical resonances was performed via the application of an external electric field (i.e., the Stark shift). A rich variety of Stark shifts were observed including linear as well as quadratic components. The ability to tune the excitation lines of single NV centers has potential applications in quantum information processing.     

Two-photon quantum interference from separate nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

We report on the observation of quantum interference of the emission from two separate nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. Taking advantage of optically induced spin polarization in combination with polarization filtering, we isolate a single transition within the zero-phonon line of the nonresonantly excited NV centers. The time-resolved two-photon interference contrast of this filtered emission reaches 66%. Furthermore, we observe quantum interference from dissimilar NV centers tuned into resonance through the dc Stark effect. These results pave the way towards measurement-based entanglement between remote NV centers and the realization of quantum networks with solid-state spins.     

A quantum computer based on NV centers in diamond: Optically detected nutations of single electron and nuclear spins

In an effort to realize a two-bit processor for a quantum computer on the basis of single nitrogen-vacancy defect centers (NV centers) in diamond, the optically detected nutations of the electron spin of a single NV center in the ground state and of the nuclear spin of a ¹³C atom located at a diamond lattice site nearest to the NV center are studied. The photodynamics of NV and NV + ¹³C centers under different temperatures and optical excitation conditions is discussed. A seven-level model of a center excited by radiation from an Ar⁺ laser at room temperature is proposed. On the basis of this model, the experimental spectra of optically detected electron paramagnetic and electron-nuclear double resonances of single NV and NV + ¹³C centers in diamond nanocrystals, as well as experimental data on the optically detected nutations of the electron and nuclear spins of these centers caused by the actions of pulsed microwave and radiofrequency fields, respectively, are interpreted.     

金刚石氮空位色心耦合机械振子和腔场系统中方差压缩研究

研究了金刚石氮空位中心(NV色心)同时耦合腔场和机械振子系统中声子场的方差压缩动力学特性,分析了金刚石NV色心初态和NV色心与机械振子耦合强度对声子场方差压缩影响.结果发现:可以制备压缩时间长、压缩幅度大的声子场压缩态,其物理原因是机械振子具有最大相干性,并且通过调控NV色心初态以及磁场梯度可以实现对机械振子方差压缩非经典特性的操控,从而在理论上提供了一种调控声子场方差压缩的方式.     

A Bright Single-Photon Source from Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond Nanowires

Single-photon flux is one of the crucial properties of nitrogen vacancy(NV) centers in diamond for its application in quantum information techniques. Here we fabricate diamond conical nanowires to enhance the single-photon count rate. Through the interaction between tightly confined optical mode in nanowires and NV centers, the single-photon lifetime is much shortened and the collection efficiency is enhanced. As a result, the detected single-photon rate can be at 564 kcps,and the total detection coefficient can be 0.8%,wich is much higher than that in bulk diamond. Such a nanowire single-photon device with high photon flux can be applied to improve the fidelity of quantum computation and the precision of quantum sensors.     

Entanglement purification for memory nodes in a quantum network

The entanglement between quantum memory nodes is a prerequisite in a quantum network, and the diamond nitrogen-vacancy(NV) center is a promising candidate serving as a quantum memory node. Here, we investigate the possibility of achieving an entanglement purification protocol(EPP) for entangled NV centers in distant diamonds. To construct the EPP, we design a nondestructive parity-check detector(PCD) utilizing an auxiliary polarization-entangled photon pair, which makes our EPP less time consuming and insensitive to the phase fluctuation of the optical path length. The satisfied fidelity of an NV center pair after purification and efficiency of obtaining a purified NV center pair with our EPP can be obtained with current experimental techniques in the realistic condition. This EPP is useful for a quantum network in which NV centers are used as quantum memory nodes.     

Laser-polarization-dependent and magnetically controlled optical bistability in diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers

We explore laser-polarization-dependent and magnetically controlled optical bistability (OB) in an optical ring cavity filled with diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) defect centers under optical excitation. The shape of the OB curve can be significantly modified in a new operating regime from the previously studied OB case, namely, by adjusting the intensity of the external magnetic field and the polarization of the control beam. The influences of the intensity of the control beam, the frequency detuning, and the cooperation parameter on the OB behavior are also discussed in detail. These results are useful in real experiments for realizing an all-optical bistate switching or coding element in a solid-state platform.     

NV centers in diamond: Quantum-chemical modeling

Quantum-chemical modeling is used to study the relationship between the spin states of nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers and their position on a (100) surface or in the bulk of a diamond crystal. The spin density of the NV centers is computed, and the position of the centers on the crystal surface is demonstrated to be energetically more favorable. The (100) surface of diamond crystal is found to affect the geometrical parameters and adsorption properties of NV centers and their spin-density distribution, relative to these properties in the bulk.     

Controlled coupling of NV defect centers to plasmonic and photonic nanostructures

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) defect centers in diamond have recently emerged as promising candidates for a number of applications in the fields of quantum optics and quantum information, such as single photon generation and spin qubit operations. The performance of these defect centers can strongly be enhanced through coupling to plasmonic and photonic nanostructures, such as metal particles and optical microcavities. Here, we demonstrate the controlled assembly of such hybrid structures via manipulation with scanning near-field probes. In particular, we investigate the plasmonic enhancement of the single photon emission through coupling to gold nanospheres as well as the coupling of diamond nanocrystals to the optical modes of microsphere resonators and photonic crystal cavities. These systems represent prototypes of fundamental nanophotonic/plasmonic elements and provide control on the generation and coherent transfer of photons on the level of a single quantum emitter.     

Dependence of nitrogen vacancy color centers on nitrogen concentration in synthetic diamond

Crystallization of diamond with different nitrogen concentrations was carried out with a FeNiCo-C system at pressure of 6.5 GPa. As the nitrogen concentration in diamond increased, the color of the synthesized diamond crystals changed from colorless to yellow and finally to atrovirens (a dark green). All the Raman peaks for the obtained crystals were located at about 1330 cm^-1 and contained only the sp³ hybrid diamond phase. Based on Fourier transform infrared results, the nitrogen concentration of the colorless diamond was < 1 ppm and absorption peaks corresponding to nitrogen impurities were not detected. However, the C-center nitrogen concentration of the atrovirens diamond reached 1030 ppm and the value of A-center nitrogen was approximately 180 ppm with a characteristic absorption peak at 1282 cm^-1. Furthermore, neither the NV⁰ nor the NV^- optical color center existed in diamond crystal with nitrogen impurities of less than 1 ppm by photoluminescence measurement. However, Ni-related centers located at 695 nm and 793.6 nm were observed in colorless diamond. The NE8 color center at 793.6 nm has more potential for application than the common NV centers. NV⁰ and NV^- optical color centers coexist in diamond without any additives in the synthesis system. Importantly, only the NV^- color center was noticed in diamond with a higher nitrogen concentration, which maximized optimization of the NV^-/NV⁰ ratio in the diamond structure. This study has provided a new way to prepare diamond containing only NV^- optical color centers.     

氮对金刚石缺陷发光的影响

利用低温显微荧光光谱研究了IIa型、Ib型、Ia型金刚石的缺陷发光性质. 研究发现, 随着氮含量增加, 间隙原子及空位逐渐被氮原子所束缚, 从而使得GR1中心、533.5 nm及580 nm中心等本征缺陷发光减弱, 而氮-空位复合缺陷(NV中心)及523.7 nm中心等氮相关缺陷发光增强. 高温退火后, 间隙原子与空位可以自由移动, IIa型金刚石中出现了NV⁰中心, Ib型金刚石中只剩下了NV中心, Ia型金刚石中氮原子之间发生团聚, 出现了H3中心及N3中心. 另外, 氮作为施主原子, 有利于负电荷缺陷的形成, 如3H 中心、NV^- 中心.     

A novel demodulation method for transmission using nitrogen-vacancy-based solid-state quantum sensor

Diamond based quantum sensing is a fast-emerging field with both scientific and technological significance. The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center, a crystal defect in diamond, has become a unique object for microwave sensing applications due to its excellent stability, long spin coherence time, and optical properties at ambient condition. In this work, we use diamond NV center as atomic receiver to demodulate on-off keying (OOK) signal transmitted in broad frequency range (2 GHz-14 GHz in a portable benchtop setup). We proposed a unique algorithm of voltage discrimination and demonstrated audio signal transceiving with fidelity above 99%. This diamond receiver is attached to the end of a tapered fiber, having all optic nature, which will find important applications in data transmission tasks under extreme conditions such as strong electromagnetic interference, high temperatures, and high corrosion.     

Coupling nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond to superconducting flux qubits

We propose a method to achieve coherent coupling between nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond and superconducting (SC) flux qubits. The resulting coupling can be used to create a coherent interaction between the spin states of distant NV centers mediated by the flux qubit. Furthermore, the magnetic coupling can be used to achieve a coherent transfer of quantum information between the flux qubit and an ensemble of NV centers. This enables a long-term memory for a SC quantum processor and possibly an interface between SC qubits and light.     

Single-channel vector magnetic information detection method based on diamond NV color center

A method of detecting the single channel triaxial magnetic field information based on diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color center is introduced. Firstly, the incident angle of the bias magnetic field which can achieve the equal frequency difference optically-detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectrum of diamond NV color center is calculated theoretically, and the triaxial magnetic information solution model is also constructed. Secondly, the microwave time-controlled circuit module is designed to generate equal timing and equal frequency difference microwave pulse signals in one channel. Combining with the optical detection magnetic resonance technology, the purpose of sequentially locking and detecting the four formant signals on one side of the diamond NV color center (m_s=-1 state signal) is achieved, and the vector magnetic field information detection is accomplished by combining the triaxial magnetic information solution model. The system can obtain magnetic field detection in a range of 0 mT-0.82 mT. The system's magnetic noise sensitivity is 14.2 nT/Hz^1/2, and the deviation angle errors of magnetic field detection θ_x and θ_y are 1.3^o and 8.2^o respectively.     

Effect of Laser Radiation near 1.5 µm on the Photoluminescence Parameters and the Ensemble of NV Centers in Diamond

JETP Letters - The effect of laser radiation with a wavelength near 1.55 µm on the photoluminescence properties of “nitrogen-vacancy” (NV) color centers in diamond has been studied...     

Modeling the atomic and electronic structure of diamond nanocrystals containing [NV]<Superscript>−</Superscript> centers by the density functional method

We have used the density functional method to model the atomic and electronic structure of diamond nanocrystals passivated by hydrogen atoms and either not containing defects or containing a single [NV]⁻ center. We have shown that in all cases, after relaxation the nanocrystals are formed as diamond-like structures. We have studied the features of the electronic structure of the nanocrystals. We have analyzed in detail the mechanism for the formation of energy levels in the bandgap due to [NV]⁻ centers. We have established that the optical absorption and fluorescence spectra for the [NV]⁻ centers are mainly associated with transitions of electrons between the highest occupied β orbitals (projection of the electron spin equal to +1/2) and lower unoccupied α orbitals (projection of the electron spin equal to −1/2). The results on the localization and energy position of the states in the bandgap match data obtained for the [NV]⁻ center in bulk diamond. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 74, No. 1, pp. 86–92, January–February, 2007.     

Hybrid opto-mechanical systems with nitrogen-vacancy centers

In this review, we briefly review recent works on hybrid(nano) opto-mechanical systems that contain both mechanical oscillators and diamond nitrogen-vacancy(NV) centers. We also review two different types of mechanical oscillators. The first one is a clamped mechanical oscillator, such as a cantilever, with a fixed frequency. The second one is an optically trapped nano-diamond with a built-in nitrogen-vacancy center. By coupling mechanical resonators with electron spins, we can use the spins to control the motion of mechanical oscillators. For the first setup, we discuss two different coupling mechanisms, which are magnetic coupling and strain induced coupling. We summarize their applications such as cooling the mechanical oscillator, generating entanglements between NV centers, squeezing spin ensembles etc. For the second setup, we discuss how to generate quantum superposition states with magnetic coupling, and realize matter wave interferometer. We will also review its applications as ultra-sensitive mass spectrometer. Finally, we discuss new coupling mechanisms and applications of the field.     

High-accuracy measurement of atomic polarizability in an optical lattice clock

Presently, the Stark effect contributes the largest source of uncertainty in a ytterbium optical atomic clock through blackbody radiation. By employing an ultracold, trapped atomic ensemble and high stability optical clock, we characterize the quadratic Stark effect with unprecedented precision. We report the ytterbium optical clock's sensitivity to electric fields (such as blackbody radiation) as the differential static polarizability of the ground and excited clock levels α(clock) = 36.2612(7) kHz?(kV/cm)(-2). The clock's uncertainty due to room temperature blackbody radiation is reduced by an order of magnitude to 3×10(-17).     

用Ξ形四能级模型研究非对称耦合量子阱非定域激子复合发光

基于Ξ形四能级模型运用密度矩阵方程研究了非对称量子阱中非定域激子复合发光特性.理论结果表明：非定域激子复合发光具有双峰特征，两峰相对于中心跃迁频率的红移和蓝移量与电子和空穴的振荡频率密切相关.与单量子阱相比，这种频率移动对外加电场相当敏感，即当外加反向电场作小的变化时，两峰有较大的移动，表现强量子限域斯塔克效应.这意味着利用非对称量子阱在新一代高速调制器和光开关中具有潜在的应用价值. 关键词： 非对称耦合量子阱 共振隧穿 非定域激子 量子限域斯塔克效应     

Quantum memories

We perform a review of various approaches to the implementation of quantum memories, with an emphasis on activities within the quantum memory sub-project of the EU integrated project “Qubit Applications”. We begin with a brief overview over different applications for quantum memories and different types of quantum memories. We discuss the most important criteria for assessing quantum memory performance and the most important physical requirements. Then we review the different approaches represented in “Qubit Applications” in some detail. They include solid-state atomic ensembles, NV centers, quantum dots, single atoms, atomic gases and optical phonons in diamond. We compare the different approaches using the discussed criteria.