© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

Terms Privacy Legal Notice

arXiv:1711.01704 · Nano Letters

Efficient Extraction of Light from a Nitrogen-Vacancy Center in a Diamond Parabolic Reflector

Noel Wan, Brendan Shields, Donggyu Kim, Sara Mouradian, Benjamin Lienhard, Michael E. Walsh, H. Bakhru, Tim Schröder, Dirk Englund

Published Mar 30, 2018• 102 citations

Abstract

Quantum emitters in solids are being developed for a range of quantum technologies, including quantum networks, computing, and sensing. However, a remaining challenge is the poor photon collection due to the high refractive index of most host materials. Here we overcome this limitation by introducing monolithic parabolic reflectors as an efficient geometry for broadband photon extraction from quantum emitter and experimentally demonstrate this device for the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond. Simulations indicate a photon collection efficiency exceeding 75% across the visible spectrum and experimental devices, fabricated using a high-throughput gray scale lithography process, demonstrating a photon extraction efficiency of (41 ± 5)%. This device enables a raw experimental detection efficiency of (12 ± 1)% with fluorescence detection rates as high as (4.114 ± 0.003) × 10 6 counts per second (cps) from a single NV center. Enabled by our deterministic emitter localization and fabrication process, we find a high number of exceptional devices with an average count rate of (3.1 ± 0.9) × 10 6 cps.

DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b04684

Related papers

Broadband Light Extraction from Near-Surface NV Centers Using Crystalline-Silicon Antennas

Minjeong Kim, Maryam Zahedian, Wenxin Wu +9 more

We use crystalline silicon (Si) antennas to efficiently extract broadband single-photon fluorescence from shallow nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond into free space. Our design features relatively easy-to-pattern high-index Si resonators on the diamond surface to boost photon extraction by overcoming total internal reflection and Fresnel reflection at the diamond-air interface and providing modest Purcell enhancement, without etching or otherwise damaging the diamond surface. In simulations, ∼17 times more single photons are collected from a single NV center compared to the case without the antenna; in experiments, we observe an enhancement of ∼9 times, limited by spatial alignment between the NV and the antenna. Our approach can be readily applied to other color centers in diamond, and more generally to the extraction of light from quantum emitters in wide-bandgap materials.

arXiv:2409.00803•Nano Letters•Mar 17, 2025•6 citations

Efficient Photon Collection from a Nitrogen Vacancy Center in a Circular Bullseye Grating

Luozhou Li, Edward H. Chen, Jiabao Zheng +7 more

Efficient collection of the broadband fluorescence from the diamond nitrogen vacancy (NV) center is essential for a range of applications in sensing, on-demand single photon generation, and quantum information processing. Here, we introduce a circular "bullseye" diamond grating which enables a collected photon rate of (2.7 ± 0.09) × 10(6) counts per second from a single NV with a spin coherence time of 1.7 ± 0.1 ms. Back-focal-plane studies indicate efficient redistribution of the NV photoluminescence into low-NA modes by the bullseye grating.

arXiv:1409.3068•Nano Letters•Feb 25, 2015•231 citations

Enhanced spontaneous emission from nanodiamonds with NV centers integrated to silicon nitride photonic structures

Jenny P. Romero Castro, Mauricio Gómez-Robles, Liudmila Tratsiuk +3 more

Single-photon sources are essential for quantum technologies, supporting secure communication, quantum computing, and integrated photonic systems. Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds are robust emitters that operate at room temperature and can be positioned on-chip, but efficient coupling to photonic modes remains challenging. We present the design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of a silicon nitride photonic structure engineered to enhance and extract emission from NV centers. The device features a subwavelength gap between waveguides, a Bragg reflector for emission redirection, and an output waveguide for collection. Simulations guided the optimization of the geometry to increase the spontaneous emission rate through photonic confinement. Nanodiamonds were deposited into the gap using lithographic patterning and drop-casting. Fluorescence lifetime measurements confirm that the structure modifies the emission dynamics of the NV centers. The approach is compatible with scalable fabrication techniques and offers a practical route toward integrated, chip-based single-photon sources.

Low-Dimensional Materials and Devices•Sep 17, 2025•0 citations

Low-Loss Broadband Antenna for Efficient Photon Collection from a Coherent Spin in Diamond

Daniel Riedel, D. Rohner, Marc Ganzhorn +5 more

Extracting light from emitters in high-index, solid-state hosts is intrinsically difficult, yet is highly relevant for applications in quantum sensing, metrology, and computing. The authors tackle this problem by demonstrating a dielectric optical antenna based on the spin of a single NV center in diamond. This broadband collector is highly directional and affords a huge single-photon counting rate with long spin coherence times, and upon further optimization could capture photons from quantum emitters with an efficiency approaching 100%.

arXiv:1408.4117•Physical Review Applied•Dec 30, 2014•67 citations

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

Shen Li, Cuihong Li, Bo-Wen Zhao +5 more

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%, which 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.

Chinese Physics Letters•Aug 1, 2017•10 citations

High‐Purity Single Photon Extraction from Diamond Nitrogen‐Vacancy Centers in Low‐Numerical‐Aperture Optical Systems via Defect‐Selective Metalens Printing

Minseok Jeon, Moohyuk Kim, Nu‐Ri Park +7 more

Abstract Solid‐state quantum emitters, such as nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, offer a promising route toward scalable quantum technologies. However, their random spatial distribution and inherently broad dipole emission severely hinder high‐purity single‐photon extraction—particularly in low‐numerical‐aperture (NA) optical systems, which are essential for compact and scalable quantum photonic systems. Here, a defect‐selective metalens integration approach is presented that allows precise and efficient single photon collection from individual NV centers, even under ultra‐low‐NA optical systems. Using an in situ transfer‐printing process, high‐purity silicon dioxide metalenses are stamped precisely and deterministically onto selected NV centers located 25 µm below the diamond surface. This integration reshapes the broad dipolar emission of the targeted NV center into a tightly collimated, low‐divergence beam, achieving a 40‐fold enhancement in photon collection efficiency with an objective lens of NA = 0.07. Notably, emission is detected exclusively from metalens‐coupled NV centers, effectively filtering out background noise from neighboring defects. Second‐order correlation measurements yield g⁽ 2 ⁾(0) = 0.04, unambiguously confirming the generation of high‐purity single photons. This scalable, site‐specific approach addresses key limitations in low‐NA operation, opening the door to compact and fiber‐integrated solid‐state quantum photonics.

Small•Nov 2, 2025•6 citations

Quantum emitters in solids are being developed for a range of quantum technologies, including quantum networks, computing, and sensing. However, a remaining challenge is the poor photon collection due to the high refractive index of most host materials. Here we overcome this limitation by introducing monolithic parabolic reflectors as an efficient geometry for broadband photon extraction from quantum emitter and experimentally demonstrate this device for the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond. Simulations indicate a photon collection efficiency exceeding 75% across the visible spectrum and experimental devices, fabricated using a high-throughput gray scale lithography process, demonstrating a photon extraction efficiency of (41 ± 5)%. This device enables a raw experimental detection efficiency of (12 ± 1)% with fluorescence detection rates as high as (4.114 ± 0.003) × 10 6 counts per second (cps) from a single NV center. Enabled by our deterministic emitter localization and fabrication process, we find a high number of exceptional devices with an average count rate of (3.1 ± 0.9) × 10 6 cps.

We use crystalline silicon (Si) antennas to efficiently extract broadband single-photon fluorescence from shallow nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond into free space. Our design features relatively easy-to-pattern high-index Si resonators on the diamond surface to boost photon extraction by overcoming total internal reflection and Fresnel reflection at the diamond-air interface and providing modest Purcell enhancement, without etching or otherwise damaging the diamond surface. In simulations, ∼17 times more single photons are collected from a single NV center compared to the case without the antenna; in experiments, we observe an enhancement of ∼9 times, limited by spatial alignment between the NV and the antenna. Our approach can be readily applied to other color centers in diamond, and more generally to the extraction of light from quantum emitters in wide-bandgap materials.

Efficient collection of the broadband fluorescence from the diamond nitrogen vacancy (NV) center is essential for a range of applications in sensing, on-demand single photon generation, and quantum information processing. Here, we introduce a circular "bullseye" diamond grating which enables a collected photon rate of (2.7 ± 0.09) × 10(6) counts per second from a single NV with a spin coherence time of 1.7 ± 0.1 ms. Back-focal-plane studies indicate efficient redistribution of the NV photoluminescence into low-NA modes by the bullseye grating.

Single-photon sources are essential for quantum technologies, supporting secure communication, quantum computing, and integrated photonic systems. Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds are robust emitters that operate at room temperature and can be positioned on-chip, but efficient coupling to photonic modes remains challenging. We present the design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of a silicon nitride photonic structure engineered to enhance and extract emission from NV centers. The device features a subwavelength gap between waveguides, a Bragg reflector for emission redirection, and an output waveguide for collection. Simulations guided the optimization of the geometry to increase the spontaneous emission rate through photonic confinement. Nanodiamonds were deposited into the gap using lithographic patterning and drop-casting. Fluorescence lifetime measurements confirm that the structure modifies the emission dynamics of the NV centers. The approach is compatible with scalable fabrication techniques and offers a practical route toward integrated, chip-based single-photon sources.

Extracting light from emitters in high-index, solid-state hosts is intrinsically difficult, yet is highly relevant for applications in quantum sensing, metrology, and computing. The authors tackle this problem by demonstrating a dielectric optical antenna based on the spin of a single NV center in diamond. This broadband collector is highly directional and affords a huge single-photon counting rate with long spin coherence times, and upon further optimization could capture photons from quantum emitters with an efficiency approaching 100%.

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%, which 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.

Abstract Solid‐state quantum emitters, such as nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, offer a promising route toward scalable quantum technologies. However, their random spatial distribution and inherently broad dipole emission severely hinder high‐purity single‐photon extraction—particularly in low‐numerical‐aperture (NA) optical systems, which are essential for compact and scalable quantum photonic systems. Here, a defect‐selective metalens integration approach is presented that allows precise and efficient single photon collection from individual NV centers, even under ultra‐low‐NA optical systems. Using an in situ transfer‐printing process, high‐purity silicon dioxide metalenses are stamped precisely and deterministically onto selected NV centers located 25 µm below the diamond surface. This integration reshapes the broad dipolar emission of the targeted NV center into a tightly collimated, low‐divergence beam, achieving a 40‐fold enhancement in photon collection efficiency with an objective lens of NA = 0.07. Notably, emission is detected exclusively from metalens‐coupled NV centers, effectively filtering out background noise from neighboring defects. Second‐order correlation measurements yield g⁽ 2 ⁾(0) = 0.04, unambiguously confirming the generation of high‐purity single photons. This scalable, site‐specific approach addresses key limitations in low‐NA operation, opening the door to compact and fiber‐integrated solid‐state quantum photonics.