Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1301.4544 · Physical Review A

Quantum Zeno phenomenon on a single solid-state spin

Janik Wolters, Max Strauß, Rolf Simon Schoenfeld, Oliver J. Benson

Published Aug 20, 2013• 45 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The quantum Zeno effect, i.e., the inhibition of coherent quantum dynamics by measurement operations, is one of the most intriguing predictions of quantum mechanics. Here we experimentally demonstrate the quantum Zeno effect by inhibiting the microwave-driven coherent spin dynamics between two ground-state spin levels of a single nitrogen vacancy center in diamond. Our experiments are supported by a detailed analysis of the population dynamics via a semiclassical model.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.88.020101

Related papers

Observation of the Quantum Zeno Effect on the Nitrogen Vacancy Center in Nanodiamond

Janik Wolters, Max Strauß, Rolf Simon Schoenfeld +1 more

The inhibition of coherent quantum dynamics via projective measurements, i.e. the quantum Zeno effect is one of the most intriguing predictions of quantum mechanics. We experimentally demonstrate the quantum Zeno effect on a single solid state spin, namely the negatively charged nitrogen vacancy center in nanodiamond. These experiments are supported by an ample analysis of the population dynamics via a semi-classical model.

•Jan 1, 2013•0 citations

Demonstration of the quantum Zeno effect on the nitrogen vacancy center in nanodiamond

Janik Wolters, Max Strauß, Rolf Simon Schoenfeld +1 more

Already in 430 BC ancient Greek's philosopher Zeno of Elea formulated his well known paradox: An object that can be observed at any instant of time at a well defined position can not move. Today, this paradox is solved by the infinitesimal calculus invented by Newton and Leibniz in the 18 century. Nevertheless in 1977 it was shown that Zeno's paradox rises again from the formalism of quantum mechanics [1]. We present our latest measurement results on the quantum Zeno effect in a solid state spin, namely the ground state spin of a single negatively charged nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamond [2]. These results are supported by an extended theoretical analysis and give evidence that the quantum Zeno effect is physical reality not only in atomic systems [3], but also in nanoscopic solid state systems [4].

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•May 1, 2013•0 citations

Quantum Zeno and Zeno-like effects in nitrogen vacancy centers

Jing Qiu, Yangyang Wang, Zhang‐qi Yin +3 more

We present a proposal to realize the quantum Zeno effect (QZE) and quantum Zeno-like effect (QZLE) in a proximal (13)C nuclear spin by controlling a proximal electron spin of a nitrogen vacancy (NV) center. The measurement is performed by applying a microwave pulse to induce the transition between different electronic spin states. Under the practical experimental conditions, our calculations show that there exist both QZE and QZLE in a (13)C nuclear spin in the vicinity of an NV center.

arXiv:1508.04560•Scientific Reports•Dec 1, 2015•16 citations

Single-Qubit Operations with the Nitrogen-Vacancy Center in Diamond

Thomas A. Kennedy, Forrest T. Charnock, John S. Colton +3 more

A concept combining optics and microwave pulses with the negative charge-state of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV—) center in diamond is demonstrated through experiments that are equivalent to single-qubit gates, and decoherence for this qubit is examined. The spin levels of the ground state provide the two-level system. Optical excitation provides polarization of these states. The polarized state is operated coherently by 35 GHz microwave pulses. The final state is read out through the photoluminescence intensity. Decoherence arises from different sources for different samples. For high-pressure, high-temperature synthetic diamonds, the high concentration of substitutional N limits the phase-memory to a few μs. In a single-crystal CVD diamond, the phase memory time is at least 32 μs at 100 K. 14N is tightly coupled to the electronic spin and produces modulation of the electron–spin echo decay under certain conditions. A two-qubit gate is proposed using this nuclear spin. This demonstration provides a great deal of insight into quantum devices in the solid state with some possibility for real application.

physica status solidi (b)•Oct 1, 2002•43 citations

Quantum control and coherence of interacting spins in diamond

G. de Lange

The field of quantum science and technology has generated many ideas for new revolutionary devices that exploit the quantum mechanical properties of small-scale systems. Isolated solid state spins play a large role in quantum technologies. They can be used as basic building blocks for a quantum computer or as ultra-sensitive magnetic-field probes which can detect the extremely weak magnetic field generated by a single proton. A major hurdle for realizing these applications is the loss of quantum coherence resulting from uncontrolled interactions with spins in the environment. In the experiments described in my thesis we studied spins associated with defect centers in diamond and used new strategies for mitigating decoherence involving advanced quantum control techniques and for fundamental studies of decoherence. We show that we can prolong the coherence time of a single spin associated with a Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) defect center in diamond with dynamical decoupling techniques. Our experiments are accurately reproduced theoretically and from this theory we conclude that, with dynamically decoupling, the spin environment can in principle be made irrelevant for the decoherence of a single spin. This removes a major obstacle for using solid-state spins in quantum science and technology. Furthermore, the dynamics in the spin environment and its influence on the NV spin is thoroughly experimentally studied. By better understanding the mechanisms behind decoherence we may one day find the answer to unresolved fundamental issues in quantum physics such as the quantum measurement problem.

•Sep 26, 2012•2 citations

THE QUANTUM ZENO EFFECT – A MATTER OF DYNAMICS, INFORMATION OR ILLUSION?

P. E. Toschek

Reiterated or continuous measurement on a quantum system impedes the quantum object's evolution. This "quantum Zeno" effect (QZE), contemplated for decades, has been conventionally attributed to the reaction of the measuring device on the quantum object being measured, in the sense of the Heisenberg microscope. However, even reactionless "quantum non-demolition" measurements seem to qualify for that inhibition to take place and may constitute a "quantum Zeno paradox" (QZP). An experimental proof of QZE had been attempted in the past on clouds of ions confined in a Paul trap. In the meantime it has been shown, however, that the anticipated impediment of the quantum evolution by a sheer gain of information, i.e. by reactionless measurement cannot be, in principle, proven with an ensemble. Recently, experiments have been performed with the use of a single quantum system: an 172Yb+ ion, laser-driven on its E2 line S1/2 - D5/2, or an 171Yb+ ion, microwave-driven on its ground-state hyperfine resonance. The results of these experiments demonstrate that mere gain of information on the quantum system, while lacking dynamic action, modifies the system's evolution as it is predicted by quantum mechanics, based on the system's preparation. This seems plausible if we attribute reality to the results of the measurements. If, in contrast, reality is claimed for the prediction, two-fold discontinuity must be admitted: loss of coherence with potential measurements, and renormalization from the results of actual measurements.

International Journal of Modern Physics B•May 20, 2006•1 citation
The quantum Zeno effect, i.e., the inhibition of coherent quantum dynamics by measurement operations, is one of the most intriguing predictions of quantum mechanics. Here we experimentally demonstrate the quantum Zeno effect by inhibiting the microwave-driven coherent spin dynamics between two ground-state spin levels of a single nitrogen vacancy center in diamond. Our experiments are supported by a detailed analysis of the population dynamics via a semiclassical model.
Already in 430 BC ancient Greek's philosopher Zeno of Elea formulated his well known paradox: An object that can be observed at any instant of time at a well defined position can not move. Today, this paradox is solved by the infinitesimal calculus invented by Newton and Leibniz in the 18 century. Nevertheless in 1977 it was shown that Zeno's paradox rises again from the formalism of quantum mechanics [1]. We present our latest measurement results on the quantum Zeno effect in a solid state spin, namely the ground state spin of a single negatively charged nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamond [2]. These results are supported by an extended theoretical analysis and give evidence that the quantum Zeno effect is physical reality not only in atomic systems [3], but also in nanoscopic solid state systems [4].
A concept combining optics and microwave pulses with the negative charge-state of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV—) center in diamond is demonstrated through experiments that are equivalent to single-qubit gates, and decoherence for this qubit is examined. The spin levels of the ground state provide the two-level system. Optical excitation provides polarization of these states. The polarized state is operated coherently by 35 GHz microwave pulses. The final state is read out through the photoluminescence intensity. Decoherence arises from different sources for different samples. For high-pressure, high-temperature synthetic diamonds, the high concentration of substitutional N limits the phase-memory to a few μs. In a single-crystal CVD diamond, the phase memory time is at least 32 μs at 100 K. 14N is tightly coupled to the electronic spin and produces modulation of the electron–spin echo decay under certain conditions. A two-qubit gate is proposed using this nuclear spin. This demonstration provides a great deal of insight into quantum devices in the solid state with some possibility for real application.
The field of quantum science and technology has generated many ideas for new revolutionary devices that exploit the quantum mechanical properties of small-scale systems. Isolated solid state spins play a large role in quantum technologies. They can be used as basic building blocks for a quantum computer or as ultra-sensitive magnetic-field probes which can detect the extremely weak magnetic field generated by a single proton. A major hurdle for realizing these applications is the loss of quantum coherence resulting from uncontrolled interactions with spins in the environment. In the experiments described in my thesis we studied spins associated with defect centers in diamond and used new strategies for mitigating decoherence involving advanced quantum control techniques and for fundamental studies of decoherence. We show that we can prolong the coherence time of a single spin associated with a Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) defect center in diamond with dynamical decoupling techniques. Our experiments are accurately reproduced theoretically and from this theory we conclude that, with dynamically decoupling, the spin environment can in principle be made irrelevant for the decoherence of a single spin. This removes a major obstacle for using solid-state spins in quantum science and technology. Furthermore, the dynamics in the spin environment and its influence on the NV spin is thoroughly experimentally studied. By better understanding the mechanisms behind decoherence we may one day find the answer to unresolved fundamental issues in quantum physics such as the quantum measurement problem.
Reiterated or continuous measurement on a quantum system impedes the quantum object's evolution. This "quantum Zeno" effect (QZE), contemplated for decades, has been conventionally attributed to the reaction of the measuring device on the quantum object being measured, in the sense of the Heisenberg microscope. However, even reactionless "quantum non-demolition" measurements seem to qualify for that inhibition to take place and may constitute a "quantum Zeno paradox" (QZP). An experimental proof of QZE had been attempted in the past on clouds of ions confined in a Paul trap. In the meantime it has been shown, however, that the anticipated impediment of the quantum evolution by a sheer gain of information, i.e. by reactionless measurement cannot be, in principle, proven with an ensemble. Recently, experiments have been performed with the use of a single quantum system: an 172Yb+ ion, laser-driven on its E2 line S1/2 - D5/2, or an 171Yb+ ion, microwave-driven on its ground-state hyperfine resonance. The results of these experiments demonstrate that mere gain of information on the quantum system, while lacking dynamic action, modifies the system's evolution as it is predicted by quantum mechanics, based on the system's preparation. This seems plausible if we attribute reality to the results of the measurements. If, in contrast, reality is claimed for the prediction, two-fold discontinuity must be admitted: loss of coherence with potential measurements, and renormalization from the results of actual measurements.